A protein's primary structure is simply the order of its amino acids.
Note that this order is always written from amino end to carboxyl end (by convention).
Secondary Structure
Protein secondary structure refers to certain common repeating structures found in proteins. There are two types of secondary structures: alpha-helix and beta-pleated sheet.
An alpha-helix is a tight helix formed out of the polypeptide chain. The polypeptide main chain makes up the central structure, and the side chains extend out and away from the helix.
The helix makes a complete turn every 3.6 amino acids.
The helix is right-handed; it twists in a clockwise direction
B-pleated sheets are the other type of secondary structure. They can be either parallel or anti-parallel.
Tertiary Structure
Tertiary structure is the full 3-dimensional folded structure of the polypeptide chain.
Quaternary Structure
Quartenary structure is only present if there is more than one polypeptide chain.
With multiple polypeptide chains, quartenary structure is their interconnections and organization.
Amino Acids
AMINO ACIDS are the "building Blocks" of the body.
Besides building cells and repairing tissue, they form antibodies to combat invading bacteria & viruses; they are part of the enzyme & hormonal system; they build nucleoproteins (RNA & DNA);
they carry oxygen throughout the body and participate in muscle activity.
When protein is broken down by digestion the result is 22 known amino acids.
Eight are essential (cannot be manufactured by the body) the rest are non-essential ( can be manufactured by the body with proper nutrition).
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