The Functions of Proteins Introduction Protein accounts for about three-fourths of the dry matter in human tissues other than fat and bone. It is a major structural component of hair, skin, nails, connective tissues, and body organs. It is required for practically every essential function in the body. Proteins are made from the following elements; carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and often sulphur and phosphorus. Proteins cannot be stored except in eggs and seeds and they form the body's main structural elements and are found in every cell and tissue. The human body uses proteins for growth and to build and repair bones, muscles, tissue, skin, internal organs and blood. Hormones, antibodies and the enzymes that regulate the body's chemical reactions are all made of protein. Without the right proteins, blood won't clot properly and cuts won't heal and if carbohydrates and fat can't meet your energy needs, proteins can be broken down and used as a source of emergency energy. So this makes protein very crucial for your health. Each protein is a large complex molecule; these molecules are made up of a string of amino acids. There are 20 different amino acids that occur naturally to form proteins and they all have the same basic structure. The 20 amino acids the body needs can be linked in thousands of different ways to form thousands of different proteins, each with a unique function in the body. Both the amino acids manufactured in the liver and those derived from the breakdown of the proteins we eat are absorbed into the blood stream and taken up by the cells and tissues to build new proteins as needed. The functions of ... ... middle of paper ... ...st layer of human skin, hair, and nails, and the scales, hooves, and feathers of animals. It twists into a regularly repeating coil called an alpha helix. Serving to protect the body against the environment, keratin is completely insoluble in water. Its many contains disulphide bonds which make it an extremely stable protein. References Website’s used: www.Intelihealth.com, www.dentistry.leeds.ac.uk/biochem/lectures/nutrition, www.healthy.net/library/books/haas/funct.htm, www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/bio99/bio99395.htm, www.bmb.leeds.ac.uk/tpdg/hglobin.htm, Books: Title: AS Biology, Author: Indge/Rowland/Baker, Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Title: Human Biology, Author: G.D. Chalk/G.P.J. Baster, Publisher: E. Arnold Software’s: Microsoft Encarta 2000 Encyclopedia Deluxe Version
Macromolecules are define as large molecules of structures found in living organisms. There are four types of macromolecules, which are proteins, carbohydrate, nucleic acid, and lipids also known as fats. Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are made of monomers, which are structural units that eventually attached together to form polymers (Dooley 20). For instance, proteins are made of amino acids, which are monomers. In addition, it has a complex structure, which consist of four different levels, primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary. The first structure of protein is the primary structure, which is the sequence of amino acid, while in the secondary structure alpha and beta helices are formed. The structure, in which a protein becomes active, is in the tertiary structure, which is where polypeptide subunits fold. Meanwhile, only certain proteins have the quaternary structure, which is when, more than one polypeptide folds. Proteins are prominent macromolecules mainly because of their numerous functions. For instance, proteins are known for increasing the rate of reactions due to that enzymes are a type of protein. In addition, they are a form of defense mechanism such as they attack pathogens, which cause diseases. In other words, scientists study and gain more insight on certain illness and how to prevent them by using proteins. For example, in a recent study,
In the subsequent essay I will discuss and explain the relative function of the Prion protein. The Prion protein, also known as PrPC, ‘’is a membrane-anchored protein with two N-glycosylation sites and, although it is highly expressed in the nervous tissues, its physiological functions have yet to be well established’’ (Coordination Chemistry Reviews). PrPC/PrP is found in healthy brains in this form, and consists of 250 Amino Acids, yet after a simple misfolding in the secondary structure; this can alienate the PrP and forms PrPsc, which is the abnormal form of the Prion protein. The infectious agent PrPsc causes neuropathological changes in the brain, and instantly places the individual under the category of someone with the prion disease. PrPsc forms insoluble fibres and thus cannot be studied well using Nuclear Mass Resonance (NMR), and it is also more resistant to protease digestion. Furthermore, ‘’ The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) arise from conversion of the membrane-bound prion protein from PrPC to PrPSc, the latter being the scrapie form. Examples of the TSEs include mad cow disease, chronic wasting disease in deer and elk, scrapie in goats and sheep, and kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans’’ (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2904554/. 2014). The following diagram shows the conversion from PrPc to PrPsc:
The monomers that make up proteins are amino acids, and these proteins can be found in the cytoplasm of a cell while other proteins are found in the cell membrane. Proteins can be found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, similar to lipids and nucleic acids. The function of proteins is to organize the cell, cleanup waste, and determine the cell shape. The elements that make up a protein are hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon. A good example for protein is chicken, it contains high-quality protein which is protein that has the eight essential amino
This includes muscles, blood and skin, bones and teeth. Protein also helps regulate fluid balance, regulate acids and bases, carries oxygen from the lungs to the cells, work as source of energy and glucose, and works as antibody. Therefore, protein is an essential nutrient to the body. For this reason, Dawn needs to make sure that she is the consuming proper amount of protein. Furthermore, since Dawn wants to gain weight, an increase of the amount of protein can help her meet her
In order to perform at peak potential an athlete must fuel their body with nutritious foods. Proteins, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables; these three-core food groups fuel a winning athlete. Proteins help build, teeth, bones and muscles, and create enzymes, red blood cells, long-term energy, as well, boost the immune system. Its functions are the most diverse of any food group. Protein consists of combinations of structures called amino acids that combine in various ways to make muscles, bone and tissues. They serve other functions as well including nutrient transportation and enzyme production for overall health beneficence. Adequate, regular protein intake is essential because the body does not easily store it. Various foods supply protein in different amounts with the highest quantaty coming mostly from animal products such as meat, fish, and eggs.
Protein have connection with amino acid to help in functions of: skin, muscle, hair and bones
The third molecule is protein. On an everyday basis, people eat protein to stay fit and and grow in a healthy manner. Runners keep to foods with lots of protein along with all athletes such as dancers, swimmers and many more. The reason so many people depend on protein is because it helps with the building of cells. These cells contribute to the building of your muscles, keeping them strong and healthy. Protein is made up of Amino Acids, which are found in meat, nuts, quinoa, green veggies, and some beans. Eating protein is important for every living things growth and daily needs.
Protein. This places a crucial role as it helps maintain the body tissue, as well as helps repair damaged body tissue, and it assists in the growth of the human body. Proteins contain amino acids, which help assist the building blocks of the body. Energy is essential for the functioning of the body, and protein helps give the body energy.
The Functions of Proteins in Plants and Animals Proteins are polymers of monomers called amino acids. Amino acids contain hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. When amino acids are linked together, they form polypeptide chains and bonded together by peptide bonds. There are different structures of polypeptides primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary. The primary structure is a straight chain of polypeptides.
Enzymes are an important part of all metabolic reactions in the body. They are catalytic proteins, able to increase the rate of a reaction, without being consumed in the process of doing so (Campbell 96). This allows the enzyme to be used again in another reaction. Enzymes speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy, the energy needed to break the chemical bonds between reactants allowing them to combine with other substances and form products (Campbell 100). In this experiment the enzyme used was acid phosphates (ACP), and the substrate was p-nitrophenyl phosphate.
proteins, growth and repair of tissues and cells, and many can prevent blood clotting. The five
"Within a single subunit [polypeptide chain], contiguous portions of the polypeptide chain frequently fold into compact, local semi-independent units called domains." - Richardson, 1981
Enzymes are protein molecules that are made by organisms to catalyze reactions. Typically, enzymes speeds up the rate of the reaction within cells. Enzymes are primarily important to living organisms because it helps with metabolism and the digestive system. For example, enzymes can break larger molecules into smaller molecules to help the body absorb the smaller pieces faster. In addition, some enzyme molecules bind molecules together. However, the initial purpose of the enzyme is to speed up reactions for a certain reason because they are “highly selective catalysts” (Castro J. 2014). In other words, an enzyme is a catalyst, which is a substance that increases the rate of a reaction without undergoing changes. Moreover, enzymes work with
The Structure and Function of Carbohydrates Large biological molecules are called macromolecules, there are giant molecules (polymers) made up of repeating units (monomers). Carbohydrates are one of the main classes of biological molecules. Macromolecule units (monomers) are joined together by condensation reactions and hydrolysis reactions split macromolecules down into their individual units. Carbohydrates are molecules that contain elements of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates have a 2:1 hydrogen to oxygen ratio, there are twice as many hydrogen atoms as oxygen atoms (the same proportion as in water).
About 20% of the human body is made up of protein. Because your body doesn’t store protein, it’s important to get enough from your diet each day.