In Biochemistry protein folding is a process in which a polypeptide folds into a specific, stable, functional, three-dimensional structure. It is the process by which a protein structure assumes its functional shape or conformation. The proteins fold themselves in specific ways to form at the ribosome during translation. Proteins are formed from long chains of amino acids; they exist in an array of different structures which often dictate their functions. Proteins follow energetically favorable pathways to form stable, orderly, structures; this is known as the proteins’ native structure. Most proteins can only perform their various functions when they are folded.

folded proteins

While the discovery of phospholipids in the gecko’s footprint brings a new factor to the equation, the ancillary evidence that a gecko cannot “stick”

to Teflon is a strong indication that van der Waals force is the main mediator in their abilities. Teflon (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is mainly carbon and fluorine. Fluorine itself is highly electronegative, meaning it really really likes to attract electrons to itself. Because of this, it tends to mitigate what is known as the “London dispersion force”. This force is thought to usually be the dominate player in the van der Waals force. A gecko, who is dependent on the sum total of all of the factors of van der
Waals force, would find it extremely difficult to stick to anything that eliminates its ability to utilize the force. As such, geckos cannot