Quaternary Structure
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Quaternary Structure

Some proteins such as the hemoglobin represented here, have more than one string of amino acids which are then hooked together in what is called the quaternary structure. Proteins that contain more than one chain of amino acids are called oligomeric proteins and each chain is called a protomer.

Diagram of hemoglobin [hemog.jpg]

These chains are held together to form the larger protein by bonds that exist between the side groups of different chains. As with tertiary structure, the bonds involved in holding these separate chains together can be van der Waals bonds, hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, or at times covalent bonds.

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