Proteins are made from amino acids, linked together in long chains that fold into specific three-dimensional shapes to perform their functions. Here’s the core idea:
- Building blocks: Proteins are built from 20 standard amino acids, each with a unique side chain that influences how the protein behaves.
- Bonding: Amino acids are joined by peptide bonds to form polypeptide chains. The sequence of amino acids (the protein’s primary structure) determines its final shape.
- Translation: In cells, proteins are synthesized via a two-step process—transcription of DNA into RNA, then translation of that RNA into a polypeptide chain at ribosomes.
- Folding and function: The linear chain folds into secondary, tertiary, and sometimes quaternary structures, producing active sites and shapes necessary for catalysis, signaling, transport, structure, and more.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific context (e.g., enzymes, antibodies, or dietary proteins) and provide simple diagrams or analogies.
