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The coiling of the protein chain backbone into an alpha helix is referred to as the secondary structure. It is composed of several polypeptide chains.

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Does a helix refer to a protein's tertiary structure?

All of them. Tertiary is the overall 3D shape of the protein Quaternary is what proteins it is attached to and how Primary is the actual order of the amino-acids which make up the chain Secondary is the way that that chain coils or folds So 'helix' refers to the coiling of the chain. Hence it is the secondary structure.


What are the differences between a right-handed alpha helix and a left-handed alpha helix in protein structures?

The main difference between a right-handed alpha helix and a left-handed alpha helix in protein structures is the direction in which the helix twists. In a right-handed alpha helix, the helix twists in a clockwise direction, while in a left-handed alpha helix, the helix twists in a counterclockwise direction. This difference in twisting direction affects the overall shape and stability of the protein structure.


What elements of protein secondary structure are present in this structure?

The protein structure contains both alpha helices and beta sheets, which are the two main elements of protein secondary structure.


What are the differences between the alpha chain and beta chain in terms of structure and function within a protein complex?

The alpha chain and beta chain in a protein complex differ in their structure and function. The alpha chain typically forms the core of the protein complex, providing stability and structural support. In contrast, the beta chain often plays a role in binding other molecules or ions, contributing to the overall function of the complex. These differences in structure and function allow the alpha and beta chains to work together to perform specific tasks within the protein complex.


What is a DNA backbone?

A backbone molecule is the unchanging part of a molecule, which are linked together in a chain-like fashon. For example: An amino acid molecule consists of an amino group (usually featured on the left hand side), and a carboxyl group (usually featured on the right hand side) bound to a central (alpha) carbon atom. That is the basic (non-changing) part of the amino acid. However, to the central (alpha) carbon there is a Hydrogen atom, and a side chain (or function group) are attached (bound). That side chain is different for every amino acid, thus giving a unique property to each and every one of them. These amino acid molecules are linked together by peptide bonds, leading to the formation of a protein molecule. Since the the basic molecule parts (amino group, alpha carbon, carboxyl group) are linked to each other, forming a chain, that is what is considered as the "protein backbone". Similarly, other molecules can form a "backbone" . Other examples are: sugar-phosphate backbone in DNA, carbohydrate backbones in polysaccharide. More info can be found under related links

Related Questions

What level of protein structure is represented by the coiling of the protein chain backbone into an alpha helix?

The coiling of the protein chain backbone into an alpha helix represents the secondary structure of a protein. This structure is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the amino acid residues in the protein chain, forming a corkscrew-like structure.


Pleating or coiling is what protein sturcture?

Coiling is a common protein structure. It refers to the coiling of the polypeptide chain into an alpha-helix or a beta-sheet. Pleating is not a standard term but may refer to the folding of the protein chain into a more compact structure.


What structure of a protein is the coiling or folding of a polypeptide chain?

Secondary structure. The coiling is the formation of the alpha helix. The folding is the formation of the beta sheets.


What is the significance of the C-alpha atom in protein structure?

The C-alpha atom is important in protein structure because it serves as a reference point for the backbone of the protein chain. It helps determine the overall shape and stability of the protein, as well as the arrangement of amino acids in the structure.


Does a helix refer to a protein's tertiary structure?

All of them. Tertiary is the overall 3D shape of the protein Quaternary is what proteins it is attached to and how Primary is the actual order of the amino-acids which make up the chain Secondary is the way that that chain coils or folds So 'helix' refers to the coiling of the chain. Hence it is the secondary structure.


Why does the primary structure of a protein coils to form the helical secondary structure?

The coiling of the primary structure of a protein to form the helical secondary structure is due to hydrogen bonding between the amino and carboxyl groups of the amino acids in the polypeptide chain. This stable interaction creates a repeating pattern that results in the formation of an alpha-helix.


What structure describes the alpha-helices and beta-sheets that are formed by hydrogen bonding vetween backbone atoms located near each other in the polypeptide chain?

This bonding is done in the secondary structure of the protein.


Alpha keratin is a protein present in?

Alpha keratin is a protein present in hair,wool,nails, horns,hooves of mammals


What structural level of a protein most affected by a disruption in hydrogen bonding?

The structural level of a protein is most affected by disruption would be the secondary structure. It is within the secondary structure where the folding and coiling of the protein is stabilized by hydrogen bonds.


What chemical bonds shape secondary protein structure?

Mainly hydrogen bonds between the backbone amide and carbonyl groups. Other bonds, such as disulfide bonds, may also contribute to stabilizing secondary protein structures like alpha-helices and beta-sheets.


Secondary protein structure?

The secondary structure of protein:the ordered 3-d arrangements in localized area of a polypeptide chaininteractions of the peptide backbone (s-trans and planar)example of secondary structure : alpha-helix and beta-pleated sheet


What type of interaction stabilizes the secondary structure of a protein causing it to form an alpha-helix?

Hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl oxygen of one amino acid and the amine hydrogen of an amino acid that is four residues down the sequence stabilize the formation of an alpha-helix in a protein. This creates a helical backbone structure that provides stability to the protein's secondary structure.