Protein structure

?
  • Created by: Tinashe
  • Created on: 14-05-13 22:10

Primary & secondary structure

  • Primary Structure
  • The sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain.

Secondary structure

  • Most basic level of protein folding
  • Its held together by hydrogen bonds between carboxyl groups and amino group
  • 2 most common are a-helix and the b-sheet

 a-helix   

  •  a-helix is wound and coiled to form a helix, and it is held together by hydrogen bonds, there are many hydrogen bonds so its a very stable and strong structure.

   b-sheet

  • The polypeptide chain zig-zags forming sheet of anti-parralel strands.and is also held together by hydrogen bonds.
1 of 2

Tertiary & Quartenary stucture

Tertiary structure

  • The compact and 3D globular structure formed from bending and twisting of the polypeptide helix into a compact structure. The shape is mantained by ionic, disulphide and hydrogen bonds.

Quaternary Structure

  • Combination of two or more polypeptide chains in tertiary form. e.g Haemoglobin is made of 4 globular sub-units arranged in pyramid structure. Each sub-unit contains one atom of iron which can bind to on molecule of oxygen.
2 of 2

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Biology resources:

See all Biology resources »See all Biological molecules, organic chemistry and biochemistry resources »