tertiary structure
Also found in: Dictionary, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Related to tertiary structure: quaternary structure, tertiary structure of protein
ter·ti·ar·y struc·ture
the three-dimensional configuration of a biopolymer.
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
tertiary structure
n.
The complete three-dimensional structure of all the atoms in a protein or nucleic acid, consisting of the arrangement of the secondary structure into patterns such as folds and supercoils.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
tertiary structure
Used mainly of a protein to refer to its three-dimensional folded shape in space. The primary structure is simply the order of the amino acids in the polypeptide chain; the secondary structure may be a coiling, the alpha helix, or a layering known as the beta-pleated sheet. The tertiary structure is determined by chemically active groups spaced along the chain that attract each other to form bonds at specific positions. The tertiary structure of proteins such as enzymes, is crucial to their function.Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005