Strong Bonds: Disulfide Bonds

Strong Bonds: Disulfide Bonds

Overview

• Hair keratin is primarily composed of amino acids, highlighting cysteine's significance.

Cysteine and Disulfide Bonds

• Cysteine molecules contain sulfur atoms.

• These sulfur atoms enable the formation of strong disulfide bonds.

Importance of Disulfide Bonds

• Quantity: Hair fibers have numerous cysteine bonds, impacting their physical properties.

• Effects: Contribute to the shape, stability, and texture of hair.

• Formation of Cystine: When two cysteine molecules bond, they create cystine.

Characteristics

• Disulfide bonds are classified as strong bonds.

• They are not broken by heat or water, only chemically.

• These bonds maintain integrity even when hair is wet, allowing for the return to the original shape.