Tertiary structure

• what is a tertiary structure

  • when the secondary structure folds further to give complex 3-dimensional shapes
  • (the more complex proteins when complete have this structure)
• give examples of globular proteins

  • enzymes
  • hormones
  • plasma
  • cell membrane proteins
• describe how the secondary structure is linked into the tertiary

  • secondary structure is folded + held in a specific 3D shape by bonds + interactions that form between R groups of some of the amino acids
  • in the polypeptide chain
• what are the 5 bonds and interactions a tertiary structure can have

  • hydrogen bonds
  • Ionic bonds
  • disulphide bridges
  • hydrophobic R group
  • hydrophilic R group
• describe the hydrogen bonds

  forms between O and OH
• describe the ionic bonds

  forms between oppositely charged R groups
• describe the disulphide bridges

  • form between S atoms (eg in cysteine)
  • very strong
  • don't break due apart due to high temps
• describe the hydrophobic R group interactions

  • weak
  • happens on the INSIDE of the protein
• describe the hydrophilic R group interactions

  • weak
  • happens on the OUTSIDE of protein