Secondary structures refer to the local folded shapes that form within a polypeptide due to interactions between backbone atoms, primarily hydrogen bonding. These structures, including alpha helices and beta sheets, are crucial for the overall 3D conformation and function of proteins.

Secondary Structures

Secondary structures

local folded shapes

A polypeptide is a chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, forming the primary structure of proteins. They play a crucial role in cellular functions and are synthesized in ribosomes through the translation of mRNA sequences into specific amino acid sequences.

polypeptide

interactions between backbone atoms

Hydrogen bonding is a type of weak chemical bond that occurs when a hydrogen atom, covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom like nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine, experiences an attractive force with another electronegative atom. This interaction is crucial in determining the structure and properties of water, proteins, and DNA, influencing boiling points, solubility, and molecular conformation.

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