The primary structure of the protein is vital in determining the role it will undergo, and the function the protein will undertake. The primary structure is the unique sequence of amino which link together in order to form a protein, or in other words a polypeptide chain. A set of 20 different amino acids are used for protein construction. It is important to understand the structure of an amino acid as it is key in how bonds are formed in the following parts of the protein structure. An amino acid contains an alpha carbon that is bonded to the following four groups: A hydrogen atom, amino group (NH2), an ‘R’ group (also knows as the variable group or side chain) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). The amino acids are held together by peptide bonds, which form between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another. Although all amino acids have a similar structure, they are not all the same. The difference in structure comes via the ‘R’ group (side chain). The main concept of the primary structure are the chains of amino acids forming, which then allows the secondary structure to be developed.
Moving on from the primary structure is the secondary structure. The polypeptide chain undergoes coiling or folding, each providing different spatial arrangements, forming a 3-D shape. Between
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The ‘R’ group substituents of the amino acid protrude towards the outside of the structure. As mentioned before where in the secondary structure hydrogen bonds are formed, in the α-helix hydrogen bonds are also formed. They form between the oxygen from the carboxyl group and the hydrogen from the amine group of the peptide bond that is 4 amino acids below in the α-helix. Therefore, the bonds form every 4 amino acids. It is very beneficial for hydrogen bonds to be present as it ensures the structure is stable, preventing the structure from deforming which could inhibit its