| conformation | The three-dimensional arrangement of side groups on a molecule which canfreely rotate into different positions without breaking any bonds. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| conformational change | <cell biology> Alteration in the shape usually the tertiary structure of a protein as a result of alteration in the environment pH, temperature, ionic strength) or the binding of a ligand (to a receptor) or binding of substrate (to an enzyme). (18 Nov 1997) |
| conformational map | A graphical representation in which the dihedral angle of rotation about the alpha-carbon to carbonyl-carbon bond in polypeptides is plotted against the dihedral angle of rotation about the alpha-carbon to nitrogen bond. Synonym: conformational map. (05 Mar 2000) |
| beta conformation | A polypeptide chain (often a secondary structure of a protein) arranged as along zig-zag. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| boat conformation | See: Haworth conformational formulas of cyclic sugars. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carbohydrate conformation | The characteristic 3-dimensional shape of a carbohydrate. (12 Dec 1998) |
| molecular conformation | The characteristic three-dimensional shape of a molecule. (12 Dec 1998) |
| protein conformation | The characteristic 3-dimensional shape of a protein, imposed upon it by the secondary and tertiary structure of the peptide chain. This stage in the structure of a protein describes the highest level of organization in overall structure assumed by multimeric proteins (aggregates of more than one polypeptide chain). This is the fourth folding level of protein building. (12 Dec 1998) |
| native conformation | <chemistry> The conformation in which a molecule is biologically active. (09 Oct 1997) |
| nucleic acid conformation | The characteristic 3-dimensional shape of a nucleic acid or polynucleotide. Its secondary structure is due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between nucleotides, resulting in base pairing and areas with alpha helix structure. (12 Dec 1998) |
| envelope conformation | See: Haworth conformational formulas of cyclic sugars. (05 Mar 2000) |