Protein
From ArticleWorld
Protein is an organic compound that is complex with a high molecular weight. It is made up of amino acids that are joined by peptide bonds.
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Meaning
The term protein comes from Greek, “protos,” which means “of primary importance.”
Use
Proteins are required in both the structure and function of all living cells and viruses. Often they are enzymes — or subunits of enzymes. In some cases, proteins play mechanical or structural roles in a being. Other protein functions include immune response as well as the transport and storage of many ligands. Cells break proteins down through digestion, which provides amino acids (including ones that the organism may not be able to synthesize).
Class
Proteins are a class of bio-macromolecules. Others in this class include nucleic acids, polysaccharides and lipids. These are the main constituents of all living things. Proteins, since being discovered in 1838 by Jons Jakob Berzelius, are one of the most actively studied molecules within biochemistry. It’s common for proteins to work together and physically associate with each other to achieve a function of form a complex, respectively.
Using proteins
Proteins are sensitive to the surrounding environment and in many cases may only be active in their original state. In its native state, a protein is called “folded;” outside of its native state, it is denatured.
Protein’s role
Typically, proteins are active in just about every function performed by cells; this includes cellular functions like signal transduction and metabolism. Essentially, life is nothing but the function of proteins (however, the information to make original protein is in DNA). Protein controls, through functions, just about all molecular process in the body. Without these proteins activity would require different conditions.