Disulfide Bridges

Definition

Disulfide bridges are covalent bonds that form between two sulfur atoms, typically within a protein molecule. They help to stabilize the 3D structure of proteins.

Analogy

Think of disulfide bridges like the safety bars on a roller coaster. Just as those bars lock you into place and keep the ride stable, disulfide bridges lock parts of a protein together and maintain its shape.

Related terms

Cysteine: An amino acid that contains sulfur and can form disulfide bridges in proteins.

Covalent Bond: A type of strong chemical bond where electrons are shared between atoms.

Protein Structure: The arrangement of amino acids in a protein, which includes primary (sequence), secondary (alpha helices and beta sheets), tertiary (3D folding), and quaternary (multiple protein subunits) structures.