Protein structure

Proteins are like really tiny robots that our bodies use to do lots of important things. They help us breathe, digest food, move our muscles, and lots more!

A protein is made up of lots of little parts called amino acids. Just like how a Lego robot is made up of lots of little Lego pieces.

Once all the amino acids are strung together, they fold up into a unique shape, like origami paper. This shape is really important for the protein to work properly.

There are different levels of protein structure, like a building. The first level is just the order of the amino acids strung together. That would be like laying down the foundation of a building.

The second level is how the protein folds up into a certain shape. That would be like putting up the walls of the building.

The third level is how different parts of the protein fold in on themselves to make even more complicated shapes. This would be like putting on the roof of the building.

The fourth level is when two or more proteins come together to make a larger structure, like a protein machine. That would be like connecting different buildings together to create a big factory.

Just like how different Lego pieces can make all sorts of different robots, different amino acids can make all sorts of different proteins. And just like how a robot needs to be put together just right to work properly, a protein needs to have the right structure to do its job in our bodies.