5. Structural and Functional Relationships in Fibrous Proteins William Astbury discovered that the x-ray diffraction pattern of wool shows a repeating structural unit spaced about 5.2 Å along the length of the wool fiber. When he steamed and stretched the wool, the x-ray pattern showed a new repeating structural unit at a spacing of 7.0 Å. Steaming and stretching the wool and then letting it shrink gave an x-ray pattern consistent with the original spacing of about 5.2 Å. Although these observations provided important clues to the molecular structure of wool, Astbury was unable to interpret them at the time. (a) Given our current understanding of the structure of wool, interpret Astbury's observations. (b) When wool sweaters or socks are washed in hot water or heated in a dryer, they shrink. Silk, on the other hand, does not shrink under the same conditions. Explain.

Biochemistry
9th Edition
ISBN:9781319114671
Author:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Chapter1: Biochemistry: An Evolving Science
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1P
icon
Related questions
Question
***not graded, just a practice problem I do not understand. Thank you so much!
5.
Structural and Functional Relationships in Fibrous Proteins
William Astbury discovered that the x-ray diffraction pattern of wool shows a repeating structural
unit spaced about 5.2 Å along the length of the wool fiber. When he steamed and stretched the
wool, the x-ray pattern showed a new repeating structural unit at a spacing of 7.0 Å. Steaming
and stretching the wool and then letting it shrink gave an x-ray pattern consistent with the original
spacing of about 5.2 Å. Although these observations provided important clues to the molecular
structure of wool, Astbury was unable to interpret them at the time.
(a) Given our current understanding of the structure of wool, interpret Astbury's observations.
(b) When wool sweaters or socks are washed in hot water or heated in a dryer, they shrink. Silk,
on the other hand, does not shrink under the same conditions. Explain.
Transcribed Image Text:5. Structural and Functional Relationships in Fibrous Proteins William Astbury discovered that the x-ray diffraction pattern of wool shows a repeating structural unit spaced about 5.2 Å along the length of the wool fiber. When he steamed and stretched the wool, the x-ray pattern showed a new repeating structural unit at a spacing of 7.0 Å. Steaming and stretching the wool and then letting it shrink gave an x-ray pattern consistent with the original spacing of about 5.2 Å. Although these observations provided important clues to the molecular structure of wool, Astbury was unable to interpret them at the time. (a) Given our current understanding of the structure of wool, interpret Astbury's observations. (b) When wool sweaters or socks are washed in hot water or heated in a dryer, they shrink. Silk, on the other hand, does not shrink under the same conditions. Explain.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Forensic Analysis
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biochemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781319114671
Author:
Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781464126116
Author:
David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman
Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecul…
Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecul…
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781118918401
Author:
Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet, Charlotte W. Pratt
Publisher:
WILEY
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781305961135
Author:
Mary K. Campbell, Shawn O. Farrell, Owen M. McDougal
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781305577206
Author:
Reginald H. Garrett, Charles M. Grisham
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Fundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological …
Fundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological …
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9780134015187
Author:
John E. McMurry, David S. Ballantine, Carl A. Hoeger, Virginia E. Peterson
Publisher:
PEARSON