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Why does primary structure of protein coils to form the helical secondary structure?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
No, protein primary structure describes linear sequence of amino acids. It doesn't covey any thing other than the sequence of amino acids, number of amino acids and number of same amino acids present. bends and coils are described in secondary as well as in tertiary structure.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoTo answer this question, you need to understand the structure of a peptide chain, which requires that you understand the structure of an amino acid. Simply put, amino acids consist of a nitrogen (N) atom bonded to two carbon (C) atoms: N-C-C. The middle C is bound to an 'R group'; this R group is different for each amino acid and serves to differentiate the different amino acids. The end C is bound to two oxygen (O) atoms, making it a carboxyl group. The N side is aptly called the N-terminal, and the carboxyl side is the C-terminal.
When amino acids bind to form a polypeptide chain, they link up in sequence: N-C-(C)-N-C-(C)-N-C-(C). I've put the carboxyl carbons in parentheses because they'll be important later on. Well, a long chain isn't very stable. Just as you might wind sewing thread or fishing line around a spool to get it out of the way and make sure it doesn't break, a polypeptide chain will prefer to coil up into a more stable conformation. In the simplest terms, then, the alpha helix forms because it is more stable and therefore much more favourable.
Why is it more stable? This occurs through hydrogen bonds, which form between the N's and carboxyl carbons (the carbons that I put in parentheses earlier). The helical structure happens because these hydrogen bonds form between the N of one amino acid and the C of the amino acid 4 amino acids back. In other words, if we take 1-2-3-4-5-6 to represent a chain of six amino acids, the nitrogen of amino acid #5 would form a hydrogen bond with the carboxyl carbon of amino acid #1, and same with #6 and #2. Because of how the molecular geometry and bond angles work out (the atoms involved can only form bonds at certain angles), this pattern of hydrogen bonding bends the chain into a coiled shape - a helical secondary structure.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe coils of an alpha helix or the folds of a beta-pleated sheet are a characteristic of the secondary structure.
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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.
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
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.
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.
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.
What aspect of protein structure are stabilized or assisted by hydrogen bonds?
secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures, but not primary structure
What is a helical protein?
"Helical" refers to its structure -- a helix (a spiral). See the related link below for an image.
