Osmosis video - Amino acids and protein folding

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Protein folding is the process by which a single polypeptide chain, or peptide, assumes its unique 3-dimensional conformation or "fold." This folded conformation is necessary for the protein to carry out its biological function.

Some proteins fold spontaneously, while others require the help of other proteins, known as chaperones, to fold correctly. In some cases, misfolded proteins can form aggregates that can be harmful to a cell. This is thought to play a role in a variety of human diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease.