- The 3 dimensional shape of a protein is maintained mainly by:
a) Strong covalent interactions
b) Interactions with other proteins
c) Multiple weak interactions
d) Interactions with prosthetic groups
Explanation:
Higher orders of protein structure are stabilized primarily and often exclusively by non-covalent interactions.
Principal among these are hydrophobic interactions and other significant contributors include hydrogen bonds and salt bridge.
Important point:
Some proteins contain covalent disulfide bonds. Inter-polypeptide disulfide bonds stabilize the quaternary structure of certain oligomeric proteins.
Answer: Multiple weak interactions
Ref: Harper 30th Ed. Page-