Tertiary Structure
The complete three-dimensional folded shape of a single polypeptide chain.
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
Tertiary structure is held by side chain interactions — hydrophobic clustering, hydrogen bonds, ionic bridges and covalent disulfide links. The dominant driving force is the burial of non-polar side chains away from water, which creates the hydrophobic core.
Examples in the real world
The globular fold of myoglobin creating a pocket that holds its haem group precisely.