Protein: a detailed discription

... Biology Proteins Section A The primary structure of a protein is the sequence of the amino acids it contains, in the formation of a chain. This chain is held together by peptide bonds creating a polypeptide chain made up of hundreds of amino acids. These peptide bonds are formed from condensation reactions. When the amino group and carboxyl group join, water is then produced as a bi-product. The sequence of amino acids inside I cell is determined by the DNA in the chromosomes of the nucleus. It is so specific that changing just one amino acid could alter its function entirely. An example of a polypeptide chain would be: NH2 - Valine - Cysteine - Arginine - Glutamine - Leucine - Serine - COOH. The secondary structure of a protein is made when the polypeptide chain configures itself into a particular shape. The two most commonly found secondary structures are the alpha-glucose helix and the

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