Understanding Protein Structures

A set of vocabulary flashcards focusing on the concepts related to the tertiary structure of proteins as discussed in the lecture.

Tertiary Structure

The three-dimensional shape of a polypeptide resulting from interactions between the side chains of the amino acids.

Sulfur Groups

Functional groups that contain sulfur, involved in forming disulfide bonds which stabilize protein structure.

Disulfide Bonds

Covalent bonds that form between the sulfur atoms of two cysteine residues, critical for stabilizing the tertiary structure of proteins.

Stabilization of Tertiary Structure

The process by which various interactions (including hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and disulfide bonds) maintain the complex shape of a protein.