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"The sequence of nitrogenous bases forms the primary structure of the molecule, analagous to the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide."

-Biological Science: The Cell, Genetics, and Developmentby Scott Freeman

The secondary structure is composed of 2 phosphodiester linked antiparallel nucleotide strands (base pairs) twisted into a double helix. The molecule is stabilized by hydrophobic interactions in its interior and by hydrogen bonding between the complementary bas pairs A-T and G-C.

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13y ago
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3d ago

Primary structure refers to the linear sequence of amino acids in a protein, while secondary structure refers to the local folding patterns of the protein, such as alpha helices and beta strands. Primary structure determines the sequence of amino acids, while secondary structure describes how these amino acids interact with each other to form various structures within the protein.

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13y ago

The primary structure of a DNA molecule is a chain of nucleotides before the complementary base pairing takes place that forms the alpha helix. It is the sequence of nucleotides in this chain that determines the primary structure.

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14y ago

A protein is a chain of smaller molecules called amino acids. Each type of protein has a unique sequence of amino acids in the chain. This sequence is called the primary structure of the protein.

The chain of amino acids can then be folded in two main ways.

In an alpha-helix the chain is twisted into a spiral (helix). The helix is held in shape by weak electrical attractions called hydrogen bonds, which form between non-adjacent amino acids.

In a beta-pleated sheet the amino acid chain is more stretched out and forms a zig-zag pattern, because of the directions of the bonds in the backbone of the chain. Several beta-sheets can be linked together side by side by hydrogen bonding, making a tough but flexible structure.

If the amino acid chain does not form either of these patterns it forms a random coil.

Most proteins have a mixture of all three patterns in the same molecule.

More detail:

Alpha-helix

  • In an alpha-helix the side groups (R groups) of the amino acids stick out from the helix.
  • The N - H groups point upwards and the C =O groups point downwards and hydrogen bonds form between them.
  • There are about 3.6 amino acids for each turn of the helix

Beta sheet

  • The R groups project above and below the plane of the chain
  • The N - H and C = O groups project sideways and form hydrogen bonds with adjacent chains (or later portions of the same chain)
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12y ago

DNA is not a protein, and therefore does not have primary or secondary protein structure.

Primary structure - the sequence of the nucleotides (amino acids in protein)

Secondary structure - the interactions between bases (i.e. which parts of strands are bound to each other)

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11y ago

The primary structure is just a polypeptide chain.

The secondary structure is the hydrogen bonding between the backbone, amino acid base(s), that can form alpha helices and beta pleated sheets.

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13y ago

A primary structure of a protein refers to its amino acid sequence , for example, HAVLQS. Second sturcture means the specific shape these strands coil, which turn into alpha and beta.

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13y ago

double antiparallel helical strands

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Q: What are differences among primary and secondary structure of protein?
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Does the secondary structure of a protein involve only the sequence of amino acids found in that protein?

No, the secondary structure of a protein is determined by the hydrogen bonds between amino acids in the polypeptide chain. These interactions lead to the formation of regular structures like alpha helices and beta sheets. The primary structure, which is the sequence of amino acids, plays a role in determining the secondary structure.


Why protein is called primary structure?

Protein is called primary structure because it refers to the specific sequence of amino acids joined together to form a polypeptide chain. This sequence is the simplest level of protein structure and determines how the protein will fold into its secondary and tertiary structures, ultimately influencing its function.


Which levels of structural organization are lost when a protein is denatured?

When a protein is denatured, it typically loses its secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures. This results in the disruption of its folded conformation and can lead to loss of function. The primary structure (sequence of amino acids) usually remains intact unless extreme denaturing conditions are applied.


What aspect of protein structure are stabilized or assisted by hydrogen bonds?

secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures, but not primary structure


Is collagen a secondary or tertiary structure?

Collagen is a primary protein structure, composed of three polypeptide chains that form a unique triple helical structure. This triple helical structure is considered the primary structure of collagen.

Related questions

Differentiate the four types of protein structure?

There are four types of protein structure. These include primary structure, secondary structure, tertiary structure, and quaternary structure. Primary structure is the amino acid sequence. Secondary structure is the shape of the molecule. Tertiary structure is the interaction between groups. Quaternary structure is the interactions between protein subunits.


What are the four levels of protein structure?

primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary


What causes the secondary structure of protein to differ in length from the primary?

The primary structure is a one or two dimensional structure, whereas the secondary structure is a three dimensional structure in which different parts of the protein molecule bend and twist due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between atoms. This makes the secondary structure shorter than the primary structure.


The alpha helix and beta pleated sheet represent which level of protein structure?

The alpha helix and beta pleated sheet represent the secondary structure of proteins. Both structures are formed by the interaction of amino acids within the polypeptide chain through hydrogen bonding.


What is the level of protein structure is the amino acid sequence of the protein?

Quaternary tertiary secondary primary is the sequence.


Differences between primary and secondary active transport?

In primary active transport, the transport protein gets phosphorylated; in secondary active transport, the transport protein is not phosphorylated


What are the subgroups of protein?

There are four distinct levels of protein structure. The main two are primary, amino acid, secondary structure, and quaternary structure.


Does the secondary structure of a protein involve only the sequence of amino acids found in that protein?

No, the secondary structure of a protein is determined by the hydrogen bonds between amino acids in the polypeptide chain. These interactions lead to the formation of regular structures like alpha helices and beta sheets. The primary structure, which is the sequence of amino acids, plays a role in determining the secondary structure.


Why protein is called primary structure?

Protein is called primary structure because it refers to the specific sequence of amino acids joined together to form a polypeptide chain. This sequence is the simplest level of protein structure and determines how the protein will fold into its secondary and tertiary structures, ultimately influencing its function.


Primary protein structure is dependent on?

Primary protein structure is the order of amino acids that compose the protein and their arrangement into 2 dimensional structures like sheets or helixes is secondary. Tertiary structure is the mixed composition of secondary forms to make a three dimension protein and quaternary structure is how the protein becomes part of a functional unit like hemoglobin inside of a blood molecule.


Which levels of structural organization are lost when a protein is denatured?

When a protein is denatured, it typically loses its secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures. This results in the disruption of its folded conformation and can lead to loss of function. The primary structure (sequence of amino acids) usually remains intact unless extreme denaturing conditions are applied.


What aspect of protein structure are stabilized or assisted by hydrogen bonds?

secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures, but not primary structure