Final answer:
The tertiary protein structure is crucial for a protein's function, determined by interactions between side chains, and disruptions in this structure can lead to diseases. It precedes the quaternary structure, which involves multiple proteins forming a complex.
Step-by-step explanation:
The description of intermediate protein notably refers to the tertiary protein structure, which is the three-dimensional folding pattern of a protein. This structure results from the interactions between side chains of amino acids that make up the protein. Here are three things to know about the tertiary structure of proteins:
- Interactions between amino acid residues: The tertiary structure is formed through a variety of interactions between amino acid side chains, including hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, disulfide bridges, and hydrophobic interactions.
- Determines protein function: The specific three-dimensional shape conferred by the tertiary structure is crucial for the protein’s function, as it affects the protein's ability to interact with other molecules.
- Stability and folding: The folding pattern is maintained by the chemical interactions which, if disrupted, can lead to a loss of function or diseases caused by misfolded proteins.
Proteins may also have a quaternary structure, but this level of organization involves several protein molecules forming a functional protein complex, and not all proteins reach this structural level.