In Chapter 2, you learned that a polypeptide in solution usually folds into its proper three-dimensional shape spontaneously. The driving force or t is o insist e tendency to achieve the thermodynamically most favored conformation. A folded polypeptide can be induced to unfold (i e., will undergo denaturation) if the solution is heated or made acidic or alkaline. The denatured polypeptide is a random structure, with many possible conformations.

a. What is the sign of Delta G for the folding process?
b. What about for the unfolding (denaturation) process?
c. What is the sign of Delta S for the folding process?
d. What about for the unfolding (denaturation) process? Will the contribution of Delta S to the free energy change be positive or negative?