CONFORMATIONAL CHANGE Meaning and
Definition
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Conformational change refers to the alteration in the three-dimensional shape or structure of a molecule, typically a protein, in response to specific environmental conditions or molecular interactions. It involves the rearrangement of atomic positions and bonds, resulting in a new conformation or shape for the molecule.
Proteins, which are composed of long chains of amino acids, possess a specific native conformation or shape that allows them to carry out their biological functions. However, this native conformation is not rigid and can be altered by various factors such as changes in temperature, pH, or the presence of other molecules. When these changes occur, specific regions of the protein may undergo movement, rotation, or repositioning of their atoms, leading to a different overall shape.
Conformational changes are critical for protein function, as they allow proteins to interact with other molecules, such as substrates or other proteins, and perform their specific roles in cellular processes. Examples of conformational changes include the opening or closing of protein channels, the activation of enzymes, or the binding of a protein to its target molecule.
Conformational changes can be reversible, with the protein returning to its original conformation once the environmental conditions stabilize. In some cases, irreversible conformational changes can occur, leading to structural modifications that can impact the protein's function permanently.
The study of conformational changes in proteins is of significant importance in fields like biochemistry and molecular biology, as it helps in understanding the mechanisms underlying protein function, molecular recognition, and disease development.
Common Misspellings for CONFORMATIONAL CHANGE
- xonformational change
- vonformational change
- fonformational change
- donformational change
- cinformational change
- cknformational change
- clnformational change
- cpnformational change
- c0nformational change
- c9nformational change
- cobformational change
- comformational change
- cojformational change
- cohformational change
- condormational change
- concormational change
- convormational change
- congormational change
- contormational change
- conrormational change
Etymology of CONFORMATIONAL CHANGE
The word "conformational" is derived from the Latin word "conformatio", which means "a shaping or forming". It comes from the verb "conformare", meaning "to form, shape, or mold".
The term "change" has its roots in the Middle English word "chaungen", which came from Old French "changer" and Latin "cambiare", both meaning "to exchange or alter".
When these two words are combined, "conformational change" refers to the alteration or modification of the three-dimensional structure or shape of a molecule or macromolecule, such as a protein, due to different factors like temperature, pH, or the binding of another molecule.
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