Why is a protein's structure important? What can happen if there are any changes? Provide an example and cite sources.
Why is a protein's structure important? What can happen if there are any changes? Provide an example and cite sources.
As per the central dogma of molecular biology, DNA contains the code that is necessary for the synthesis of protein. The code from DNA is transcribed onto an mRNA and then ribosomes translate the code on mRNA into a polymer of amino acids called a polypeptide. The polypeptide then 'folds' into a functional three-dimensional structure that is called protein.
Proteins are large biomolecules made up of amino acid residues linked via a peptide bond. Amino acids are biomolecules that have an amino group and a carboxyl group linked to the same carbon called alpha carbon. Other than the amino and carboxyl groups, amino acids have a side chain linked to the alpha carbon. Amino acids differ from each other in the side group that is linked to the alpha carbon. The peptide bond is formed between the carboxyl group of N-terminal amino acids and the amino group of C-terminal amino acids. Interaction between side chains and peptide backbone is responsible for the folding of the polypeptide into functional proteins.
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