MyCompetitiveExams Logo MyCompetitiveExams
MyCompetitiveExams Logo MyCompetitiveExams
Search 1,140+ Questions
Chapters, formulas, speed tricks
→
⚡ Brahmastra NEET 2027
720 MARKS

Dynamic 180-question full-length simulator mixed dynamically from all 6 years for 2027 & 2026 aspirants.

Launch Brahmastra 2027 Test →
Start Practice →
100% Free · No Login Required
Q.154 Zoology ⭐ 360° Option Elimination Active
Vault ↗

NEET 2023 Zoology Question 154 Solution

Topic: Biomolecules · Official NTA Booklet Code G5
NEET 2023 Zoology Question 154: Protein Polarity Convention and Quaternary Structure of Haemoglobin

Question

Given below are two statements: Statement I: A protein is imagined as a line, the left end represented by first amino acid (C-terminal) and the right end represented by last amino acid (N-terminal) Statement II: Adult human haemoglobin, consists of 4 subunits (two subunits of a type and two subunits of B type.) In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  1. (1)Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
  2. (2)Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
  3. (3)Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
  4. (4)Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
✓
Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key
Option (1) : Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
📚 Biomolecules Medium
📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup
Statement I Left end of protein line is C-terminal and right end is N-terminal.
Statement II Adult human haemoglobin consists of 4 subunits (two of α type and two of β type).
⚡

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ Protein Polarity Rule: Left is N-terminal, Right is C-terminal!

⏱️ Save ~25 seconds

By international biochemical convention and verbatim NCERT: the left end of a polypeptide is the first amino acid (N-terminal) and the right end is the last amino acid (C-terminal). Statement I inverts this and is FALSE! Statement II is TRUE (2α2β2\alpha 2\beta). Select Option (1)!

1 Check Statement I: NCERT states left end is first amino acid (N-terminal) and right end is last amino acid (C-terminal) -> Statement I inverts them -> False.
2 Check Statement II: Adult human haemoglobin consists of 4 subunits: 2 alpha and 2 beta (2α2β2\alpha 2\beta) -> True.
3 Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
4 Match Option (1).
🛡️
Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: Canonical NCERT Biomolecules polypeptide directional nomenclature and oligomeric protein architecture.
📐

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Step 1

Evaluation of Statement I (Polypeptide Polarity Convention)

Polypeptides are synthesized in the N→CN \to C direction from the ribosome. NCERT defines the positional convention of a primary protein structure:

Polypeptide Line:Left End: N-terminal (First Amino Acid)⟷Right End: C-terminal (Last Amino Acid)\text{Polypeptide Line:} \quad \mathbf{\text{Left End: N-terminal (First Amino Acid)}} \longleftrightarrow \mathbf{\text{Right End: C-terminal (Last Amino Acid)}}
Step 2

Verbatim NCERT Reference for Statement I

NCERT states verbatim: "A protein is imagined as a line, the left end represented by the first amino acid and the right end represented by the last amino acid. The first amino acid is also called as N-terminal amino acid. The last amino acid is called the C-terminal amino acid." Because Statement I claims the left end is C-terminal and right end is N-terminal, it is definitively FALSE.

Step 3

Evaluation of Statement II (Haemoglobin Quaternary Structure)

Adult human hemoglobin (HbAHbA) is an allosteric tetrameric metalloprotein:

Adult Haemoglobin (HbA)=2α+2β=4 Subunits  ⟹  Statement II is True\text{Adult Haemoglobin (HbA)} = 2\alpha + 2\beta = \mathbf{4\text{ Subunits}} \implies \text{Statement II is } \mathbf{\text{True}}
⭐

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.

4-Option Deep Scan
1 1
✓ 100% Correct
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Statement I inverts the N-terminal/C-terminal positions; Statement II accurately describes the 2α 2β tetrameric subunit structure of adult haemoglobin.

💡
Why this is airtight: None; rigorous biochemical literacy.
2 2
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Statement I is false due to inverted directional nomenclature.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Reading Statement I carelessly and assuming left-to-right terminus order is correct without checking N vs. C.
3 3
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Statement II is factually true.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Doubting whether adult haemoglobin contains 2 alpha and 2 beta subunits.
4 4
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Both statement truth values are completely reversed.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Inverting both biochemical concepts.
⚠️

NTA Trap Alert: N-terminal vs. C-terminal Polarity Inversion Trap

NTA intentionally reversed "N-terminal" and "C-terminal" in Statement I. Students who skim the text remember that "first and last amino acids are at ends" and miss the polarity flip.

🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Always remember: Proteins read left-to-right like reading English: N-terminal first (left), C-terminal last (right).
📖

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

NCERT Biology · Biomolecules Standard Benchmark
Core Scientific Principle Tested:

"Left end of protein is the first amino acid (N-terminal) and right end is the last amino acid (C-terminal). Adult hemoglobin consists of 4 subunits (2 alpha and 2 beta)."

Syllabus Focus: Structure of Proteins
✓ Core NEET UG Syllabus Anchor Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗

Ready to attempt under real exam pressure?

Test your speed and accuracy in the authentic 200-minute timed NTA simulator.

Launch NEET 2023 CBT Test →

Spotted a mistake in this solution? Report an error (support@mycompetitiveexams.com)

⚖️ Legal & Fair Dealing Notice: Sourced from publicly released NEET 2023 question papers and NEET answer keys for private study, research, and non-commercial educational practice under Fair Dealing (Section 52(1)(a) of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957). Not affiliated with or endorsed by NTA or NMC.

Solve 4 NEET Questions a Day — One per Subject

Cover all 1,140 official NEET questions in 285 days at your own pace. Progress is saved on your device. No login needed.