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Tertiary Proteins Globular

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. The 3-D tertiary structure of polypeptide proteins globular and is the result of interactions that occur between R groups. Tertiary structure is a result of the bonds between sidechains of amino acids, the R groups. The structure and bonds involve alpha helices, beta pleated sheets, and also regions unique to each protein. Tertiary proteins are held together by four different types of forces; hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions (including Van der Waals interactions), ionic bonding (electrostatic interactions), and disulfide bridges (strong covalent bonds). Hydrogen bonds occur within and between polypeptide chains and the aqueous environment. Hydrogen bonding forms between a highly electronegative oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom and a hydrogen atom attached to another oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom. This links the amino acid …show more content…

PrPc (a healthy prion) generally functions in this way but when unhealthy PrPSc comes into contact with healthy PrPc it converts healthy to unhealthy. This disrupts the cell and the cell will make another healthy PrPc in its place. This is how the disease unfolds. The cell replaces the healthy protein that has become unhealthy PrPSc; only for it to then be converted to unhealthy. PrPSc eventually converts all healthy PrPc proteins to PrPSc. PrPSc; the misfolded and unhealthy prion acts as its own chaperone. Proteosomes exist to destroy proteins that misfold. Our defense mechanisms do not recognize the PrPSc as foreign and therefore do not destroy it. It continues to proliferate as it turns PrPc to PrPSc. Since PrPSc is hydrophobic it tends to hide from water and turn inward and clump together in the cells. This is called aggregation. Eventually the PrPSc overtakes and kills the cell and leave the appearance of tissues looking spongy. New cells do not grow in dead cells place and PrPSc finds new cells to invade as the disease progresses (Cobb & Surewicz,

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