What occurs to the protein organization and shape when the protein is exposed to hydrochloric acid in the stomach during digestion?
A. The protein structure changes from primary to tertiary.
B. The protein structure changes from tertiary to primary.
C. There is no change to protein structure when exposed to an acid.
D. The protein structure attaches to another protein structure to form a quaternary complex.

When exposed to hydrochloric acid in the stomach, proteins undergo denaturation, primarily changing from a tertiary structure to a more linear form. This process disrupts their complex shapes, making them more accessible for digestive enzymes. It is important to note that this does not revert proteins to primary structure but rather unfolds them to aid in digestion. ;

Answered by GinnyAnswer | 2025-07-07

When proteins are exposed to hydrochloric acid in the stomach, they undergo denaturation, mainly transforming from a tertiary structure to a more linear form. This process facilitates digestion by making the proteins more accessible to enzymes. Therefore, the correct answer to the multiple-choice question is option A.
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Answered by Anonymous | 2025-07-31