3D Structures of Proteins Vocab

Confirmation

the fold, or structure. can refer to local or overall

Native Conformation

the fold with biological activity

Primary Structure

the sequence of amino-acids. no intrinsic fold

Secondary Structure

the folds the linear peptide takes. alpha helices, beta sheets

Tertiary Structure

the folds the alpha helices and beta sheets of a peptide adopt as a whole

Quaternary Structure

compromised of multiple peptide chains associating to form one protein also referred to as subunits

Domains

specific clusters of secondary structure elements in tertiary configuration that remain folded even when separated from the rest of the protein

Prosthetic Group

protein elements covalently joined to the protein that are not amino acids