Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The primary structure of a protein is the specific sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain, determined by covalent peptide bonds. It dictates the protein's overall shape and function.
The building blocks of proteins, consisting of an amino group, carboxyl group, hydrogen atom, and distinctive side chain attached to a central carbon atom.
A covalent chemical bond formed between two amino acid molecules when the carboxyl group of one molecule reacts with the amino group of another molecule, releasing water (dehydration synthesis).
Protein Folding: The process by which a protein structure assumes its functional shape or conformation through interactions among its amino acids driven by the primary structure