Question

What is the relationship between a protein's structure and its ability to function?

Answer 1

The function of a protein is set by its shape. The shape of a protein is decided by its primary structure (sequence of amino acids). The sequence of amino acids during a protein is set by the sequence of nucleotides within the gene (DNA) encoding it.

Complete answer:
The structure of the protein depends on its amino alkanoic acid sequence and native , low-energy chemical bonds between atoms in both the polypeptide backbone and in amino alkanoic acid side chains. Its structure plays a key role in its function, i.e, if a protein loses its shape at any structural level, it will not function anymore.
-Several lengths of a polypeptide chain consisting of hundred and thousands of amino acids connected together can make up a molecule called protein.
-There are peptide bonds within the chain which are called the covalent bonds.
-Then between the different amino acids, there are several other types of bonds that can be made resulting in the folding of this chain in many different ways.
- This process makes it possible for the protein to get the required structure for the function. So if a flat sheet of protein is needed to harden the nail this protein can be made.
-To make an enzyme if we need a globular protein with a dent on the side, then the amino acids will arrange themselves in such a way that the different types of bonds will hold the shape.

Note:
-The function of a protein is directly hooked into its three-dimensional structure.
-It is a remarkable property of proteins that it spontaneously folds up into three-dimensional structures as determined by the sequence of amino acids within the protein polymer.
- A wide range of functional groups are present in the protein.