This structure you saw is just the same in every one of the 20 amino acids. When amino acids are strung together, joined by peptide bonds, this section makes up the BACKBONE of the protein.

The different radicals or side chains react to water in different ways and pull the line of amino acids into one shape or another.

The peptide bond cannot rotate, but the other 2 bonds CAN rotate. This influences the shape the protein assumes.


Look at peptide bonds

Back to Main Amino Acid page

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Protein Stories -+-Index-+-