Submitted by prionprion t3_10g3kx9 in askscience
MARINE-BOY t1_j59f44y wrote
Reply to comment by prionprion in How is protein folding quantum mechanical? by prionprion
Protein folding is not inherently quantum mechanical. Protein folding refers to the process by which a protein molecule assumes its three-dimensional structure, which is determined by the sequence of amino acids in the protein. This process is primarily determined by the laws of thermodynamics and the interactions between the various chemical groups within the protein. However, recent research has suggested that quantum mechanical effects such as quantum tunneling may play a role in certain aspects of protein dynamics, such as the formation of hydrogen bonds between the protein and its environment. However, this is still an active area of research and the exact role of quantum mechanics in protein folding is not fully understood.
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