The tertiary structure is the structure at which polypeptide chains become functional. At this level, every protein has a specific three-dimensional shape and presents functional groups on its outer surface, allowing it to interact with other molecules, and giving it its unique function.

Is tertiary structure functional?

Tertiary Structure: The Overall 3-Dimensional Shape of a Protein. A protein needs to adopt a final and stable 3-dimensional shape in order to function properly. The Tertiary Structure of a protein is the arrangement of the secondary structures into this final 3-dimensional shape.

What does the tertiary structure represent?

Tertiary Structure of Proteins

Tertiary structure refers to the overall folding of the entire polypeptide chain into a specific 3D shape. The tertiary structure of enzymes is often a compact, globular shape.