 Tertiary structure : the overall shape of a single protein molecule ; the spatial relationship of the secondary structures to one another . Tertiary structure is generally stabilized by <unk> interactions , most commonly the formation of a hydrophobic core , but also through salt bridges , hydrogen bonds , <unk> bonds , and even <unk> modifications . The term " tertiary structure " is often used as synonymous with the term fold . The tertiary structure is what controls the basic function of the protein . 
