Proteins

Proteins make up all of the unique structures of your body (traits) and they include enzymes that help control all of the chemical reactions that happen in your body/cells. Basically, proteins are everything you are and everything you do - they are reasonably important.

They are made of C, H, O and N
Their monomers are amino acids
They have many functions

Protein Structure

Proteins have different levels of structure.

Amino Acids are linked together by the ribosome to form chains called polypeptides.
- There are 20 different amino acids that have different "R Groups."
  - Some are negative, some are positive, some are non-polar
  - These r-groups attract or repel each other to change the shape of the polypeptide.
- The order of the amino acids is determined by genes (DNA/RNA)
- The amino acids are linked together in ribosomes
Polypeptides are joined together to form full proteins with a specific shape.
- Full proteins are often assembled in the Golgi Apparatus, then moved in or out of the cell
- Their shape can be permanently changed (denatured) by changes in heat or pH

Proteins have Many Functions

Your genes determine your traits by coding for different proteins which have many different roles in the body.

Structure - proteins like collagen help to form your skin, bones, and other organs.
Chemical Reactions - Enzymes perform all sorts of tasks like breaking down food and making ATP
Movement - actin and myosin are proteins that make up muscles. When they contract, they can pull on bones to produce movement, cause the heart to squeeze and pump blood, or constrict your pupils to let less light into your eyeballs.
Transport - Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen in your red blood cells. Proteins in your cell membrane control what goes in and out.
Nerve Signals- Receptor proteins in your brain cells make it easier (or harder) to send signals determining what you can recall.
Hormones - proteins like insulin and glucagon travel through your blood to signal you liver and other cells to regulate your blood sugar
Protection - antibodies are proteins that can help you fight off pathogens like bacteria or viruses