Tag: Secondary structure

Every protein possesses at least three levels of structural organization, though many biologically active proteins are comprised of four distinct levels. These levels, which range from a simple amino acid sequence to complex 3D arrangements, are fundamental to determining a protein's function and properties.

The human body contains millions of different proteins, each performing a vital function, from catalyzing metabolic reactions to transporting molecules. A protein's ability to carry out its specific task is directly dependent on its complex three-dimensional shape, which is defined by the four elements of protein structure.

Protein molecules are the workhorses of the cell, but their function is entirely dependent on their unique three-dimensional shape. To understand how this shape is achieved, one must grasp what are the four forms of protein, which describe the hierarchical levels of its structural organization.