Protein Shapes: Globular vs Fibrous

Proteins can be grouped by shape into globular proteins and fibrous proteins. These two subtypes also differ in how they dissolve in water and in the jobs they do in cells and tissues.

Globular proteins, also called spheroproteins, are usually round in shape. They contain a mix of amino acid type...

Proteins have evolved to form quaternary structures and multi-unit complexes when larger molecules are needed by the cell, rather than having longer amino acid chains. Most proteins fall into one of two categories: globular and fibrous.

Globular proteins are compact, with their amino acid chain wound into a spheroid shape. Their secondary...