Interpretaion : referred to as

Question

In the science article, I found this sentence.

In order to perform these distinct functions, proteins rely on the precise 3D arrangement of functional groups — referred to as the protein fold.

I think something should be after 'to' as an object. But why it is like that? and what does it mean?

It has the same meaning as "Which is referred to as the protein fold" where "refer to" is a phrasal verb, and "as" is a preposition. — Cardinal, Commented Sep 10, 2016 at 12:59
@Cardinal Then does the clause almost means like "which is reffered to something like the protein fold"? — JBL, Commented Sep 10, 2016 at 13:05
I'm not sure about your meaning, but it means something like: "which is called 'the protein fold' " IMHO. — Cardinal, Commented Sep 10, 2016 at 13:09

Alan Carmack · Accepted Answer · 2016-09-10 13:28:44Z

1

This is just a passive construction.

You can refer to 'the precise 3D arrangement of functional groups' as 'the protein fold' —which is using an active construction for refer to

or

You can say that 'the precise 3D arrangement of functional groups' (are) referred to as 'the protein fold'.

In the article, the linking verb to be is replaced by the hyphen (—)

answered Sep 10, 2016 at 13:28

Alan Carmack

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2

ah now I understand what grammar is in, I always get confused when prasal verbs get into passive form.
– JBL
Commented Sep 10, 2016 at 13:38

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