Levels of protein structure

View mindmap

Levels of protein structure
4 levels
Primary
- order of Amino acids
Secondary
- the twisting of chains/ hydrogen bonds between 2 Amino acids
  - 2 types: chain either takes shape of an alpha helix or the shape of a beta-pleated sheet
Tertiary
- bonds between functional groups
  - takes on bends + folds
Quaternary
- interaction between polypeptide chains
- hemoglobin is a good example : has 4 polypeptide chains that interact
Protein's shape influences its activity
hydrophobic valine in 1 chain attracts another in another chain
- causes the protein to twist in unnatural ways
Glutamic acid
- has an electrical charge + hydrophilic
- non polar + hydrophobic valine
hair
- made of keratin proteins linked together by bonds
red blood cell
- contains hemoglobin which binds with O in our lungs
  - normal hemoglobin has a molecule of glutamic acid at the 6th position on its polypeptide chain
    - if the primary structure of hemoglobin is changed, it can cause a disease + affect the protein's function
- shaped liked squashed bread rolls

Get Revising