The final three-dimensional shape of a protein is formed when these coils and pleats themselves coil or fold, often with straight runs of amino acids in between.This 3D shape is held in place by a number of different types of bonds and interactions.
A proteins tertiary structure is vital to its function. For example:
- A hormone must be specific shape in order to fit into the hormone receptor of a target cell.
- An enzyme must have an active site, the shape of which is complementary to that of it's substrate.
- A structural protein such as collagen, is shaped to be strong with protein chains wound around each other in a specific way.
Heating a protein increases the kinetic energy in the molecule. This causes the molecule to vibrate and breaks some of the bonds holding the tertiary structure in place. This process is called denaturation as the whole tertiary structure can unravel and the protein will no longer function.
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