Amino acids are the monomers of proteins and polypeptides. Each amino acid contains an amino group, carboxl group, and an R group. The structure of the R group is important in dictating the function of the protein when strung together as polypeptides. For this reason, the way the protiens are assembled is essential to its function. Through dehydration synthesis, the amino acids bind at the amino group of one acid and the carboxyl group of the next acid. This chain of amino acids is called the primary structure. However, the polypeptide string can be rearranged in a multitude of ways depending on the R groups. The protein is in its seconday structure when the amino acid chains come together to form alpha helixes and beta sheets. These formations happen through hydrogen bonding. Within the same polypeptide chain, the sheets and sprials fold on one another and bind to one another through interctions of the R group (intramolecular bonds); this is called the tertiary structure. Lastly, when multiple polypeptide formations bind to each other, they create their quaternary structure. To reiterate, each specific amino acid structure is incredibly important in carrying out the proteins function. When these proteins are under stressful environments, such as high temperatures or pH levels, they can denature in form, therefore, harming the proteins ability to carry out its specific function. When pH distrupts the protein structure, it is harming the H-bonds that make up the secondary and tertiary structure.
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