Within this paradigm, a simple vocabulary has been developed by which structure is described at four major hierarchic levels: primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary.

When the expected quaternary structure is known, this elegant approach provides clues about the retention of the native and thus active protein structure without performing laborious activity tests.

The tertiary structure of proteins is such that it is suited to the function of the protein. Proteins function in different environments, and thus each protein has different requirements.