tertiary structure

The tertiary structure of a protein refers to its three-dimensional shape formed by the folding and interactions of its long chains of amino acids. This folding creates a specific, unique shape essential for the protein’s function. Various forces, such as hydrogen bonds, disulfide bridges, and hydrophobic interactions, stabilize this structure. The tertiary structure determines how the protein interacts with other molecules and performs its biological role, like acting as enzymes or structural components. Understanding this level of structure helps us appreciate how proteins function precisely within living organisms.