I know that tertiary structure is spontaneous but I dont know about secondary structure.
2006-09-30 05:16:47 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Yes, it is.
More info:
http://www.chembio.uoguelph.ca/educmat/phy456/ProtStr3.htm
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/566secprotein.html
2006-09-30 05:52:58 · answer #1 · answered by cucumis_sativus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The secondary structure is not spontaneous, it is dependant on the sequence of the amino acids. The forces that play a role in this are : h-bonds, van der Waals, hydrophobic (not really a force ), and electrostatic. Tertiary strucute is also not spontaneous - it is directed by those same forces (anfinsen's experiment proved this)
2006-09-30 12:54:19 · answer #2 · answered by jusy987 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is spontaneous in that the order of the amino acids in the primary structure contain all the information necessary for the secondary structure. However, the assistance of "molecular chaperones" may be needed for the folding to happen.
2006-09-30 12:57:20 · answer #3 · answered by drdiquila 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋