Hi guys, could someone help me on this question please
Describe what happens as an enzyme is formed through its primary, secondary and tertiary stages or structural change. Discuss the structure of the molecule, final shape, and the parts of the enzyme critical to its function.
Primary structure:
When dabbling into this, the first thing to remember is that enzymes are actually protein molecules. Thus, they are made up of amino acid sub-units linked by peptide covalent bonds. It is the specific, linear sequence of these amino acids that forms the primary structure of an enzyme. Moreover, it is this primary structure that ultimately determines the molecular conformation of the protein molecule (i.e. the enzyme's active site).
Secondary structure:
This is essentially the semi-molecular folding of the protein due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between the peptide bonds. What forms is one of three shapes: random coiling, alpha helices and beta-pleated sheets.
Tertiary structure:
This refers to the overall, three-dimensional conformation of the enzyme (protein). Essentially, it is the tertiary structure that creates the shape of the active site. This region is essential in an enzyme's activity. Obviously, this is due to the fact that the active site is shaped specifically complementary to the shape of a specific substrate.
Things to note:
* Due to the strong covalent (peptide) bonding, the primary structure remains unaffected by denaturation.
* Because the secondary and tertiary structure are maintained by more weaker bonds that are easily disrupted by denaturation, they are affected by this process. As a result, active site configuration is altered, preventing enzyme-substrate complexes form, causing a decline in enzyme activity.
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