Proteins are used in the body for a variety of functions. They aid in the composition of cell membranes, act as enzymes, and regulate ion levels in cells. Primary structure refers to the specific sequence of amino acids that make up a protein. Secondary structure represents the way amino acids close together in the chain orient themselves. The secondary structure of a protein is often a key factor in biological activity.
Proteins react with other molecules in a specific way because of the manner in which they fold.
There are two types of secondary folding, alpha helices and beta sheets. In alpha folding, hydrogen bonds produce a molecule that takes on the shape of a helix. Pharmaceutical companies study the secondary structures of molecules to see how they will react with medicines, or as enzymes in the body. Structures that prove to be potentially the most useful are then studied in extensive lab, animal, and human testing. You will be investigating the shape of a small protein.