Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures.

Basic amino acid structure glycine

Primary structure of insulin polymerisation

DEFINITION: The primary structure of a protein is given by

the unique specific sequence of amino acids that make up the
protein

Secondary structure - Alpha

helix and polypeptide chain
Hydrogen
bond

+
-

Quaternary structure
Combination of
different
polypeptide chains.
May also be nonprotein (prosthetic)
groups associated
with the molecules
e.g. Haem
6

Haemoglobin

- polypeptide

Haemocyanin

- polypeptide
Copper unit

Haem unit

crabs, lobsters, snails, octopus

have blue blood.

Describe the 4 levels of protein

structure in haemoglobin
Primary consists of 4 polypeptide chains
Secondary chains are coiled into a helix
Tertiary each polypeptide chain is folded into a
precise shape (allowing it to carry 02)
Quaternary all 4 polypeptide chains are linked
together to form an almost spherical molecule.
Each polypeptide is associated with a Haem group
(contains Fe2+) Each Fe2+ ion can combine with one
02 molecule.
How many oxygens can be carried by each haemoglobin?

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