3 replies to this topic

[chetanw]

hello friends,

I have an assignment which includes a question which is "structural levels of biomolecules". I have found primary, secondary and tertiary structures of proteins and nucleic acids but i am finding it difficult to find primary, secondary and tertiary structures of carbohydrates and lipids. please suggest me an answer for this question.


Thank you

[bob1]

Surely you can work out what would be the primary structure for a carbohydrate and a lipid (think basic chemistry, as you would write it out)

Do carbohydrates and lipids form tertiary and secondary structures - what features of the molecules would allow them to do this?

[Bluefunk]

I know lipids do not have secondary or tertiary structure as I work in lipid metabolism. Unless you mean formation of micelles.. but I've never heard of this referred to as secondary or tertiary structure.

[bob1]

So that would be your answer for lipids.  Carbohydrates - how about cellulose -primary = single strand, secondary = sheet...you may need to think about co-factors or other components to get tertiary structures.  e.g. DNA wrapped by histones.

Edited by bob1, 28 October 2011 - 02:40 PM.