Question

Describe how the structure of a protein forms for each of the following levels of protein formation. Include the type(s) of bonds formed and specifically what part of the polypeptide/amino acids these bonds form between.

1. Secondary

2. Tertiary

Answer 1

Secondary structure of protein are in two main forms- Alpha helix and Beta sheet.

Both these structures are stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl group and the N-H groups in the polypeptide back bone.

Alpha helix is formed when the polypeptide chain twists in helical conformation, beta sheets are formed when two or more polypeptide chain segments line up side by side to form a sheet like structure.

Tertiary structure of protein is a three dimentional conformation due to interaction between the amino acid side chains in the primary structure.

The interactions are of the following forms:

1. Hydrophobic interactions

2. Ionic Interaction

3. Hydrogen bonds

4. Van der waals force of interaction

5 Covalent bonds.