Proteins are necklaces of amino acids – long chains molecules. Proteins are the basis of how biology get this done. As enzymes, they are the driving force behind all the biochemical reactions which make biology work. As structural elements, they are main constituents of our bones, muscles, hair, skin, and blood vessels. As antibodies, they recognize invading elements and allow the immune system to get rid of the unwanted invaders. For these reasons, scientists have sequenced the human genome – the blueprint for all of the proteins in biology. Proteins are organic compounds that contain the element nitrogen as well as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Proteins are the most diverse group of biologically important substances and are often considered to be the central compound necessary for life. In fact, the translation from the Greek root word means “first place.” Skin and muscles are composed of proteins; antibodies and enzymes are proteins; some hormones are proteins; and some proteins are involved with digestion, respiration, reproduction, and even normal vision, just to mention a few. Proteins are essentially natural polymers composed of long chains of subunits. These smaller units are called amino acids. Proteins are made from sequences of the 20 amino acid. These amino acids are linked together by a peptide bond that is formed by condensation. Protein function is dependent on its tertiary structure. Proteins tend to fold into three- dimensional structures because of the sequence of amino acids. Proteins also contain functional groups from each amino acid. These groups are reactive and also contribute to protein function. Proteins also interact with one another and with other macromolecules. Proteins can be rigid or flexible. This allows certain proteins to be found in different parts of the cell such as the cytoskeleton or in soft tissue. They are the most complex and most diverse in chemical composition, conferring upon the different
Proteins are necklaces of amino acids – long chains molecules. Proteins are the basis of how biology get this done. As enzymes, they are the driving force behind all the biochemical reactions which make biology work. As structural elements, they are main constituents of our bones, muscles, hair, skin, and blood vessels. As antibodies, they recognize invading elements and allow the immune system to get rid of the unwanted invaders. For these reasons, scientists have sequenced the human genome – the blueprint for all of the proteins in biology. Proteins are organic compounds that contain the element nitrogen as well as carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Proteins are the most diverse group of biologically important substances and are often considered to be the central compound necessary for life. In fact, the translation from the Greek root word means “first place.” Skin and muscles are composed of proteins; antibodies and enzymes are proteins; some hormones are proteins; and some proteins are involved with digestion, respiration, reproduction, and even normal vision, just to mention a few. Proteins are essentially natural polymers composed of long chains of subunits. These smaller units are called amino acids. Proteins are made from sequences of the 20 amino acid. These amino acids are linked together by a peptide bond that is formed by condensation. Protein function is dependent on its tertiary structure. Proteins tend to fold into three- dimensional structures because of the sequence of amino acids. Proteins also contain functional groups from each amino acid. These groups are reactive and also contribute to protein function. Proteins also interact with one another and with other macromolecules. Proteins can be rigid or flexible. This allows certain proteins to be found in different parts of the cell such as the cytoskeleton or in soft tissue. They are the most complex and most diverse in chemical composition, conferring upon the different