Which statements describe proteins? Check all that apply. A.) Proteins are created from the code in DNA. B.) Proteins are synthesized in the nucleus of a cell. C.) DNA and RNA are proteins. D.) Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. E.) Proteins affect the structures and functions of living things. F.) The shape and the function of a protein are not related.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct statements are:
✅ A.) Proteins are created from the code in DNA.
❌ B.) Proteins are synthesized in the nucleus of a cell.
❌ C.) DNA and RNA are proteins.
✅ D.) Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
✅ E.) Proteins affect the structures and functions of living things.
❌ F.) The shape and the function of a protein are not related.
Explanation
Proteins are essential biological macromolecules that perform a wide variety of functions in living organisms. Their synthesis begins with DNA, which contains the genetic instructions needed to build proteins. These instructions are transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus, but the actual process of protein synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm, where ribosomes translate the mRNA sequence into a chain of amino acids. Therefore, while proteins are created from DNA code (A is correct), they are not synthesized in the nucleus (B is incorrect).
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) are not proteins; they are nucleic acids, which serve as the blueprint and messenger for protein construction (C is incorrect). The actual building blocks of proteins are amino acids. There are 20 different amino acids commonly found in proteins, and the sequence in which they are arranged determines a protein’s shape and function (D is correct).
Proteins play critical roles in nearly every biological process. They provide structural support (like collagen in skin), act as enzymes to speed up chemical reactions, serve as antibodies in the immune system, and perform countless other tasks in cells and tissues (E is correct).
Lastly, a protein’s shape is closely related to its function. This shape, or conformation, is determined by the amino acid sequence and how the chain folds into complex structures. If a protein loses its shape due to changes in temperature or pH (a process called denaturation), it usually loses its function as well. Therefore, the statement that “the shape and the function of a protein are not related” is false (F is incorrect).
In summary, understanding proteins involves recognizing how they are coded by DNA, built from amino acids, and how their structure determines their diverse and vital roles in life.
