Quantum mechanics explains the orbitals of an atom's electrons, and also the molecular orbitals of covalent bonds between atoms. Orbitals are also important for the van-der-Waals forces, hydrogen bonds, and interactions with the molecular orbitals of surrounding water molecules, which direct protein shape.

In the end, all chemistry is applied quantum mechanics, and protein folding is chemistry.

Not on the long run. If solar wind carried away from the sun more positive then negative charges, the sun would build up a positive charge, and this would pull back all the negatively charged particles.