Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Science > Biology > How can there be so many different proteins if there are only 20 different amino acids?

How can there be so many different proteins if there are only 20 different amino acids?

In: Biology, Human Anatomy, Genetics [Edit categories]

Answer:

The length of proteins vary from under 100 amino acids to many hundreds. The combination of 20 amino acids over a range of say 400 is enormous ie 400x399x398x397.....x1. It is not just the amino acids in a protein that determine the protein structure and function but also the order, which is responsible for interactions formed during the folding of the protein from a single long chain to its 3D structure. A single amino acid change in a protein of 400 amino acids can change the protein conformation.

First answer by ID3406439492. Last edit by ID3406439492. Question popularity: 5 [recommend question].

[report abuse]

Can you answer these Biology questions?

	Where did Antoine Lavoisier conduct his research?	Answer it!
	Where did Antoine Lavoisier worked?	Answer it!
	How are palisade cells adapted for photosynthesis?	Answer it!
	What region supported high tariffs?	Answer it!
	What does an atom of nitrogen look like?	Answer it!