The primary structure of a protein is formed by what?
1 Answer
The primary structure of a protein is its sequence of amino acids.
Explanation:
Amino acids, held together by peptide bonds, make up proteins. In total, there are 20 different amino acids, but these amino acids can be arranged in many different orders and lengths to create the numerous proteins needed in our body.
Primary structure is the simplest level of protein structure. The amino acid sequence determines the protein's shape and structure and consequently its function.
The specific sequence is very important, since even a small change (called a mutation) could cause a disorder. For example, sickle cell anemia is a disorder in which the body's hemoglobin contains just two amino acid differences.
