The secondary structure sections of a polypeptide may further be organized into a tertiary structure by these interactions:
  • Covalent disulfide bonds form between polar cysteine molecules.
  • Most of the polar hydrophilic R groups are located on the surface, close to surrounding water molecules.
  • Most nonpolar hydrophobic R groups are located on the interior, avoiding water. This diagram shows tertiary structure of myoglobin, an oxygen carrier molecule in muscle cells.