The continuous line represents the
primary structure of the protein.
You should note that the primary structure has a polarity.
That is, there is a N terminal region of the protein and a C
terminal region.
The curly sections represent alpha helical regions.
These are components of the secondary structure
of a protein.
The flat sections with arrows represent beta pleated sheat. These are also components of the secondary structure of a protein.
The overall twists and turns of the protein are known as the tertiary structure of a protein.
Some proteins are composed of more than one polypeptide chain. The subunits of these multimeric proteins must interact in very specific ways to give a structure that is called the Quartenary Structure of Proteins
back to proteins
return to outline