preview

Dna Protein Protein Structure

Good Essays

DNA Polymerase
Proteins are arguably the most structurally and functionally complex structures known to man. Through evolution spanning billions of years, these macromolecules have been perfected to perform many functions necessary for life. Proteins contain four distinct levels of structure and are composed of simple organic compounds known as amino acids. (Alberts, Bruce et al 2000) Amino acids are joined together by peptide bonds made during protein biosynthesis, and the linked amino acid chain is known as a polypeptide chain. DNA determines the amino acid sequence and the sequence is what determines the primary level of protein structure. This level of structure determines the protein’s shape, which affects the assembly and function of …show more content…

This level is formed whenever multiple polypeptide chains come together to design a single protein. Some proteins are only composed of one single polypeptide chain, and therefore, do not have a quaternary level of structure. The four various levels of protein structure give a small insight into how structurally complicated proteins really are. Functionally, proteins are just as diverse, if not more, as they are structurally. They are responsible for providing structural support of the cell, aiding biochemical reactions, assisting the plasma membrane, and a multitude of other functions. One important aspect of proteins are enzymes, which is a type of protein that catalyzes biochemical reactions in the cell. A clear majority of enzymes are proteins, but not all proteins are enzymes. It is safe to say, that without proteins, life would not be possible.
DNA polymerase is an extremely vital protein, located in all cells, that is capable of synthesizing DNA from nucleotides. (Bebenek, Katarzyna et al 2004) It is also classified as an enzyme, which means it acts as a catalyst to kick-start a biochemical reaction in the cell. While the function of this protein may sound simple, it is anything but. This protein not only copies the DNA, but also proofreads and corrects any mistakes in the DNA sequence. With the hefty responsibility of replicating DNA and passing genetic information from generation to generation, DNA polymerase is one of the most significant enzymes

Get Access