Question

Hydrogen bonds play an important role in life. Give 6 example where hydrogen bonds play a role in biological structures or systems, directly or indirectly

Answer 1

Hydrogen bond is formed between H and an electronegative atom like F, O and N.

1. Hydrogen bonds are present in water molecules which essentially form a large part of the cell.
2. It is present during complementary binding of two strands of the DNA. Adenine form 2 hydrogen bonds with thymine while guanine form 3 hydrogen bonds with cytosine.
3. It is also used for folding of proteins and holding it to maintain 3 dimensional structure of the protein.
4. Chelating agents reduces the toxicity of metal ions by forming complex with them. This complex is formed by hydrogen bonds.
5. The binding of antigen to antibody also require the hydrogen bonds for proper recognition and binding.
6. The catalysing property and maintenance of the shape of enzymes also require hydrogen bond.