Polypeptidiketjuja

Polypeptidiketjuja refers to polypeptide chains in Finnish. A polypeptide chain is a linear sequence of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. These chains are the fundamental building blocks of proteins. When amino acids join, the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of another, forming a peptide bond and releasing a water molecule. This process is called dehydration synthesis.

The order of amino acids in a polypeptide chain is determined by the genetic code, transcribed from messenger RNA (mRNA) during the process of translation. This specific sequence, known as the primary structure, is crucial as it dictates how the polypeptide will fold into a complex three-dimensional structure, its secondary, tertiary, and sometimes quaternary structures. These higher levels of structure are essential for the protein's function.

A polypeptide chain can range in length from a few amino acids to thousands. Smaller chains might be referred to as peptides or oligopeptides, while longer ones are generally called polypeptides. Once folded into its functional shape, a polypeptide chain becomes a protein or a subunit of a protein. Proteins perform a vast array of functions in living organisms, including catalyzing biochemical reactions, providing structural support, transporting molecules, and signaling. The diversity of protein functions arises from the incredible variety of possible amino acid sequences and their subsequent folding patterns.