Question

What maintains the secondary structure of a protein? peptide bonds hydrogen bonds?

Answer 1

The secondary structure of proteins, including the α-helix and β-pleated sheet, is maintained by hydrogen bonds between the oxygen atom in the carbonyl group of one amino acid and the hydrogen of an amide group in another amino acid.

Step-by-step explanation:

The secondary structure of a protein is maintained by hydrogen bonds that form between parts of the peptide backbone. This involves the oxygen atom in the carbonyl group of one amino acid and the hydrogen of an amide group in another amino acid that is typically four residues down the chain. The most common secondary structures are the α-helix and the β-pleated sheet. The α-helix is characterized by a coiled arrangement maintained by hydrogen bonds between every fourth amino acid. In the β-pleated sheet, hydrogen bonds form between sections of the polypeptide chain that lie parallel or antiparallel to each other, creating a folded 'sheet' appearance.

Answer 2

Hydrogen bonds maintain the secondary structure of a protein.

(Peptide bonds are the bonds between the amino acids which form the primary structure of a protein.)