The Nature of Proteins

In the first step of making a protein, each amino acid is linked to the next by a peptide bond. Proteins are made from many amino acid units, from several dozen to as many as 300, to form strands.

In the second step these strands are attracted to each other causing them to coil into shapes not unlike springs.

The third step in forming a completed protein occurs when different amino acids are attracted to or repelled from one another, thus causing the coil to fold back on itself forming a globular structure.

One final step may be needed to create a functional protein. Several strands may gather together and depend on one another to function, or a mineral or vitamin may be needed to complete the unit and activate it.

The dramatically different shapes of proteins enable them to perform different tasks in the body.