Please write a 200250 Word report on the following subject H

Please write a 200-250 Word report on the following subject:

How the cells of an organism that normally lives at 15-37 degrees Celsius maintain the structure of its proteins at the elevated temperature of 40 degrees Celsius.?

Solution

Proteins are sensitive to the change in pH, temperature and other chemicals. They undergo denaturation upon the exposure to high temperatures, varied pH and proteolytic enzymes such as papaine. It results in loss of structural integration and functional ability.

The sequence of amino acids in a protein is called its “primary structure.” When portions of amino acid chain take on a certain orientation in space, like an alpha helix, beta plated sheet, the “secondary structure” occurs.

When the protein adopts the features of secondary structure, the carbonyl oxygen atoms of one peptide linkage and hydrogen atoms of the amino group of another peptide linkage connect together by hydrogen bonds. This results in the formation of alpha helices or beta pleated sheets.

“Tertiary structure” of a protein is its three-dimensional structure, that results from the twisting and folding of its secondary structure.

At high temperatures, the hydrogen bonds are broken, which affects the secondary and tertiary structure of the protein. This results in protein denaturation. Means, at sufficiently high temperatures, proteins undergo denaturation. But below the temperature range within which they are able to sustain the hydrogen bonds and peptide bonds, they remain intact and functionally active. Thus, as a little rise in temperature cannot break the hydrogen bonds, proteins can sustain  the elevated temperature of 40 degrees Celsius.