Proteins form through the joining of many amino acids end-to-end, which then fold into complex three-dimensional shapes.
The Building Blocks: Amino Acids
- Proteins are essential macromolecules for life.
- They are constructed from smaller units called amino acids.
- There are 20 common types of amino acids found in proteins.
The Process: Linking Amino Acids
- Amino acids connect to each other through chemical bonds.
- This forms a long chain called a polypeptide.
- The sequence of amino acids is unique for each protein.
- According to the reference provided, these long amino acid chains are like "a very long and thin piece of paper".
Folding into Shape: The 3D Structure
- The polypeptide chain folds up into a specific three-dimensional shape.
- This folding process is crucial for the protein’s function.
- This is like “origami”, as the reference explains, with the long amino acid chain folding to create complex shapes.
- The specific shape dictates how the protein interacts with other molecules.
Summary
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Amino acids | The basic units that make up proteins. |
| Polypeptides | Chains of amino acids linked together. |
| 3D Shape | The folded, functional structure of a protein, crucial for its activity. |
| Reference | "Proteins are made of large numbers of amino acids joined end to end. The chains fold up to form three-dimensional molecules with complex shapes – you could think of it as origami with a very long and thin piece of paper." -13-Mar-2014 |
In short, proteins are formed by linking amino acids into long chains that then fold up into complex shapes.
