Strong detergents can disrupt hydrophobic interactions. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that controls the levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Scientists studying acetylcholinesterase expose it to increasing amounts of a
strong detergent. What will happen to acetylcholinesterase's structure and function as the detergent levels
increase?
Hydrophobic interactions are important to a protein's structure but not its function, so no change in
acetylcholinesterase's activity is expected.
Hydrophobic interactions are essential to the primary structure of proteins, so acetylcholinesterase will be unable
to build peptide chains.
Hydrophobic interactions interfere with proper tertiary structure, so a strong detergent should clean the
acetylcholinesterase and improve the protein's function.
Hydrophobic interactions are important in maintaining tertiary and quaternary structure, so acetylcholinesterase
will become denatured with increased levels of detergent.