Difference between fibrous proteins and globular proteins

Fibrous proteins primarily have a long, elongated shape and are insoluble, while globular proteins have a spherical shape and are soluble. In addition, globular proteins also have tertiary and sometimes quaternary structure, which allows them to perform more complex functions. In summary, fibrous proteins have only primary and secondary structure, while globular proteins have tertiary and sometimes quaternary structure in addition to primary and secondary structure.
  • #1
littlelady
15
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Hey guys, can somebody helps me to understand better about fibrous vs globular protein please

"So what is the main difference between fibrous proteins and globular proteins? Aside from the difference in shape (elongated vs. spheroidal) and solubility (insoluble vs. soluble), fibrous proteins generally have only primary and secondary structure whereas globular proteins have tertiary and sometimes quaternary structure in addition to primary and secondary structure."

My question is

Fibrous only posses primary and secondary strure
Globular only posses tertiary and quanternary structure right? and also primary and secondary?? ?

I read the pagra above from online but confusing...i THINK primary stuture is only sequence of amino acid..it doesn't have spherical shape...
 
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  • #2
littlelady said:
i THINK primary stuture is only sequence of amino acid..it doesn't have spherical shape...
Correct, primary structure refers to the amino acid sequence, and is present for every protein.
 
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Likes Delta2

What are fibrous proteins and globular proteins?

Fibrous proteins and globular proteins are two major classes of proteins found in living organisms.

Fibrous Proteins: Fibrous proteins are long, linear molecules that have a highly repetitive and extended structure. They are typically insoluble in water and are often structural in nature, providing strength and support to cells and tissues. Examples of fibrous proteins include collagen, keratin, and fibrin.

Globular Proteins: Globular proteins, on the other hand, are compact, folded proteins with a spherical or globular shape. They are generally water-soluble and play various functional roles in biological processes, such as enzymatic activity, transport, and immune responses. Examples of globular proteins include enzymes like catalase, hemoglobin, and antibodies.

What are the key differences between fibrous proteins and globular proteins?

1. Structure: Fibrous proteins have an elongated, fibrous structure with repeated sequences, while globular proteins have a compact, folded, and three-dimensional structure.

2. Solubility: Fibrous proteins are typically insoluble in water, while globular proteins are water-soluble.

3. Function: Fibrous proteins are primarily structural in function and provide support, strength, and stability to cells and tissues. Globular proteins perform a wide range of functions, including enzymatic activity, transport of molecules, immune responses, and more.

4. Examples: Examples of fibrous proteins include collagen (found in connective tissues), keratin (found in hair and nails), and fibrin (involved in blood clotting). Examples of globular proteins include hemoglobin (responsible for oxygen transport in blood), enzymes like amylase (involved in digestion), and antibodies (part of the immune system).

5. Shape: Fibrous proteins have a long and thread-like shape, while globular proteins have a compact, spherical shape.

6. Location: Fibrous proteins are often found in structural components like tendons, cartilage, and muscle fibers. Globular proteins are distributed throughout cells and body fluids, playing various roles in metabolism and cellular processes.

Are there any similarities between fibrous proteins and globular proteins?

While fibrous proteins and globular proteins differ significantly in structure, solubility, and function, they share some similarities. Both types of proteins are composed of amino acids, and their overall biological activity is essential for the proper functioning of living organisms. Additionally, they contribute to the diversity and complexity of the proteome, which is the entire set of proteins in an organism.

Overall, fibrous proteins and globular proteins are two distinct protein classes with unique characteristics and roles in biology.

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