Interactions between the side chains (R groups) in a polypeptide are most important in stabilizing which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Interactions between side chains are most important in stabilizing the tertiary structure of a polypeptide. The side chain interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, disulfide bridges, hydrophobic interactions, and ionic bonding, contribute to the 3-dimensional folding of the polypeptide chain, which determines its function. The primary structure (sequence of amino acids) is stabilized by peptide bonds, while the secondary structure (alpha helix or beta sheet) is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between amino acids. Quaternary structure relates to the interactions between multiple polypeptide chains.

Interactions Between the Side Chains (R Groups) in a Polypeptide