Question

Distinguish between the primary, secondary, and tertiary structures of a protein. Give examples of the types of forces that maintain each type of structure

Short answer

Primary structure is defined with covalent bonds. Secondary structure is defined with hydrogen bonding and tertiary structure is defined with hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, ionic bonds, covalent bonds and London dispersion forces between nonpolar groups

Step-by-step solution

Introduction of primary, secondary, and tertiary structures

The order, or sequence, of amino acids in the protein chain is called the primary structure. In terms of bonding and forces that drive primary structure, covalent bond between the amino group and the carboxyl group is the only type of bonding that defines the primary structure.

Secondary structure is the arrangement of the protein chain. The main drive forces of secondary structure are hydrogen bonds.

To Distinguish between the primary, secondary, and tertiary structures

They usually occur among the amino group and the carbonyl group in the backbone of the protein. See the right picture below.

Tertiary structure is the overall protein shape. This structure level is defined with several intermolecular forces such as hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, ionic bonds, covalent bonds, and London dispersion forces between nonpolar groups.

Hence Primary structure is defined with covalent bonds. Secondary structure is defined with hydrogen bonding and tertiary structure is defined with hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, ionic bonds, covalent bonds and London dispersion forces between nonpolar groups.