Chapter 24, Problem 111A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : The peptide chain held in a 3-D shape is to be explained.

Concept Introduction : A peptide is a short chain of amino acids. These amino acids are the structural monomers of proteins. Different sequences of amino acids code for different proteins.

Answer to Problem 111A

Hydrogen bonding and disulfide linkages promote the peptide chain to be held in a 3-D shape.

Explanation of Solution

Peptide bonds, formed when the carboxyl end of one amino acid joins the amine end of another, hold the amino acids together.

Specifically, interactions between the R groups of the amino acids that make up the protein are what give the protein its 3-D shape.

In addition to London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, hydrogen bonds, and ionic bonds are among the R group interactions that contribute to tertiary structure.

The peptide backbones' hydrogen bonds allow the amino acids to fold and twist.

The clustering of amino acids is also influenced by hydrophobic interactions.

Disulfide linkages that are present on the side of cysteine that contains sulfur help to form the protein's tertiary structure.