There are four levels of structure that inter-dependently influence a protein's biologically functional conformation. The secondary structure is determined by the amount of structural regularity contained in a polypeptide, as a result of hydrogen bonding between peptide groups. The tertiary structure is driven by the environmental variables that a protein encounters as it is being synthesized. This structure is the actual three-dimensional structure of the protein. Quaternary structure is the final complex formed between two or more peptide chains.
Globular proteins are water soluble and have spheroid, compact structures.
They are generally biologically active proteins such as enzymes or antibodies. All Rights Reserved . No images, graphics, software, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders.