Amphipathic molecule due to polar, hydrophilic phosphate group and nonpolar, hydrophobic fatty acid region. Major component of membranes 2. Energy stores 3. Proteins have unique amino acid sequences as specified by genes. Amino acids are linked together by Peptide bonds to form Peptides or Proteins.
Proteins have several levels of structural organization.
This 3-D shape is called the molecules conformation. Proteins can change 3D structure. These changes in 3D structure are important steps in physiological processes of transport, enzyme action and cytoskeletal adjustment. Due to different side chains, amino acids and the resulting proteins can have different levels of polarity ranging from hydrophobic, hydrophilic and amphipathic. Proteins as a class of macromolecules are unique in their ability to specifically recognize, bind and interact with a wide variety of molecules.