Prions Are Pathogenic Proteins That Are Linked to Different Neurodegenerative

Multiple Choice

Prions are pathogenic proteins that are linked to different neurodegenerative diseases. Investigations of some have indicated that normal cellular proteins and prions have the same amino acid sequence. How is this possible?

A) Though the primary structure is the same between the prion and the normal cellular protein, differences at higher levels (secondary or tertiary) alter protein activity.
B) The amino acid sequence is not important to the function of the protein because protein function is completely determined by the pH of the environment.
C) The double helix structure of proteins is easily altered by separating the nitrogenous bases holding the strands together, allowing for a protein to act as a prion.
D) The amino acids of the prion must have more hydrophilic sections, causing it to interact with the lipids of the plasma membrane and disrupting cell activity.