2.4 Helix Breakers & Structural Disruptors

Helix Breakers & Structural Disruptors (Module 2: The Weaver). Key concept: Pro breaks, Gly flexibility. Explain why proline breaks helices: a rigid ring, no amide hydrogen to donate, and a broken i → i+4 bond.

• Explain why proline breaks helices: a rigid ring, no amide hydrogen to donate, and a broken i → i+4 bond
• Explain why glycine destabilises both helices and sheets through excess backbone freedom
• Predict where a proline or glycine insertion would disrupt secondary structure in a given sequence
• Recognise that such disruptions are often deliberate and functional