Re: What is the structure of wool?

Hello there. 
I am sorry I took this long to get back to you. Forgive me if I tell you 
something you already know - I'm new at this and aren't sure of your 
background. In responce to your question...

What is the structure of wool?

Wool is made of alpha keratins - fibrous proteins consisting of parallel 
chains of peptides.  Keratins also make hair, horns, skin, nails, feathers 
and more. What does all this mean? The various amino acids in the keratin 
are bound to each other via special 'peptide' bonds to form a peptide 
chain. The linear sequence of these amino acids is called the primary 
structure. However these bound amino acids also have a three dimentional 
arrangement. The arrangement of neighbouring amino acids is the secondary 
structure. The secondary structure of 'alpha' keratin is that of an Alpha 
Helix and is due to the amino acid composition in the primary stucture. 
This is a twirled-like structure of the amino acid chain- If your 
interested in pictures of this structure it should be avalible in any 
general biochemistry textbook you can get your hands on. The alpha helix is 
basically reinforced by weak hydrogen bonding between amino acids above and 
below other amino acids in the helix. The alpha helix of keratin is 
arranged in a right-handed mannor (curl the fingers on your right hand and 
point the thum up. The helix turns in the same direction as that from the 
back of your hand to the tips of your fingers in an upward direction). 
In Wool, three to seven of these alpha helices can be curled arround each 
other to form three-strand or seven-strand 'ropes.' For a much more 
detailed description of the structure (such as amino acid composition, 
bonding and attractions between helicies, and more), please refer to one of 
the many good Biochemisty textbooks avalible. I have found a 
copy of 'Biochemisty' by Albert L. Lehninger, Worth Publishers inc.(1970). 
This conatins some of the basic information described here. I also have a 
more recent copy of a Lehninger Biochemistry textbook which contains even 
more info. (I think it's called 'Introduction to Biochemistry,' also 
published by Worth). 

I hope this has been helpful.

Luke.