The secondary structure of a protein is due to ________ between amino acid residues.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The secondary structure of a protein is due to hydrogen bonding between amino acid residues. Specifically, hydrogen bonds form between the carbonyl group of one amino acid and the amine group of another, creating either alpha helices or beta sheets. Hydrophobic interactions and salt bridges are important for tertiary and quaternary structure, while disulfide linkages are also important for tertiary structure through the formation of disulfide bonds. However, none of these contribute to the formation of secondary structure.

The Secondary Structure of a Protein Is Due to ________