Level Types of Bonds Position of Bond Effect of Bond Formation

Primary Structure • Covalent Bonds • Between atoms in a single amino acid Forms straight chained polypeptide

• Peptide Bonds • Between the ionised carboxyl group and the

ionised amine group

Secondary • Hydrogen bonds • Alpha Helix- The hydrogen bonds are • Forms a helical structure.
Structure formed between the –CO of one amino acid
and the –NH of an amino acid.
• Forms a pleated fibrous
• Beta-Pleated Sheet- The hydrogen bonds structure.
are formed between the –CO of one amino
acid and the –NH of an amino acid in
adjacent anti-parallel chains of
polypeptides.

Tertiary Structure • Hydrogen bonds • Occurs when the –OH or –NH groups of All bonds cause folding of the structure
one –R group attracts the –O or –CO group which is essential for enzymes and
of another –R group antibodies.

Results in a 3-D structure

• Ionic bonds • Occurs between the amino and carboxyl
parts of some –R groups.

• Disulphide bonds • Occurs between the amino and carboxyl

parts of some –R groups.

Quaternary • Hydrogen bonds • Occurs when the –OH or –NH groups of Made up of many tertiary structures,
Structure one –R group attracts the –O or –CO group which all have folds as a result of their
of another –R group tertiary structures.
• Ionic bonds
Polypeptide chains are
• Occurs between the amino and carboxyl linked to a non-protein (prosthetic
parts of some –R groups. group) part of the
• Disulphide bonds molecule

• Occurs between the amino and carboxyl

parts of some –R groups.