PRIMARY STRUCTURE Meaning and
Definition
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The term "primary structure" primarily refers to the basic architectural framework or composition of a biological macromolecule, particularly a protein molecule. It specifically deals with the linear sequence of amino acids that make up the protein. This sequence is determined by the specific order of nucleotide bases in the corresponding gene that encodes the protein.
In proteins, the primary structure represents the simplest and most fundamental level of organization. It plays a crucial role in determining the protein's overall shape, function, and stability. The sequence of amino acids is unique for each protein, and even small changes in this sequence can have significant implications on its properties.
The primary structure of a protein is typically depicted using a one-letter or three-letter code to represent each amino acid in the sequence. The chain of amino acids is connected by peptide bonds, forming a polypeptide chain that can fold and interact with other molecules to perform specific biological functions.
Understanding and studying the primary structure of proteins is fundamental in numerous research areas, including biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and protein engineering. Techniques such as DNA sequencing and protein sequencing are often employed to determine the primary structure of these molecules.
Overall, the primary structure represents the foundation upon which the higher levels of protein organization, such as secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures, are built.
Common Misspellings for PRIMARY STRUCTURE
- orimary structure
- lrimary structure
- 0rimary structure
- peimary structure
- pdimary structure
- pfimary structure
- ptimary structure
- p5imary structure
- p4imary structure
- prumary structure
- prjmary structure
- prkmary structure
- promary structure
- pr9mary structure
- pr8mary structure
- prinary structure
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- primzry structure
- primsry structure
Etymology of PRIMARY STRUCTURE
The word "primary" originates from the Latin word "primarius", meaning "first" or "chief". It entered the English language in the 15th century.
The term "structure" derives from the Latin word "structura", meaning "a building" or "arrangement". It came into English in the 17th century.
When combined, "primary structure" describes the fundamental or foundational arrangement of something, often used in the context of biology and chemistry to refer to the basic and essential components of a molecule or organism.
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