Abstract
The force laws governing the extension behavior of homopolypeptides are obtained from a phenomenological free energy capable of describing the helix-coil transition. Just above the melting temperature of the free chains, T*, the plot of force, f, vs. end-to-end distance, R, exhibits two plateaus associated with coexistence of helical and coil domains. The lower plateau is due to tension induced onset of helix-coil transition. The higher plateau corresponds to the melting of the helices by overextension. Just below T* the f-R plot exhibits only the upper plateau. The f-R plots, the helical fraction, the number of domains and their polydispersity are calculated for two models: In one the helical domains are viewed as rigid rods while in the second they are treated as worm like chains.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.