Biology Assitance Needed :)

Question

Hi, I would greatly appreciate if you could full elaborate on the purpose of a single peptide? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi Khloe,

 

There are four basic ways that scientists characterize protein structure that I think can help you think about the purpose of a polypeptide.

 

First is the primary structure, which is a basic sequence of amino acids. These amino acids together form a polypeptide. The importance of the primary structure of a protein is that it can be charged, uncharged, polar, nonpolar, and therefore interact uniquely with other proteins. In other words, the peptide begins to determine the structure and function of a protein.

 

As the amino acids are strung together, they form bonds with each other. The secondary structure of a protein includes these new connections that form structures such as α-helices and ß-sheets. The shape of a protein is referred to as a tertiary structure. This is important for the stability of the protein and its overall function. The quaternary structure of the protein includes multiple polypeptides that are put together to form a protein.