Proteins
Sravika Kayithi and Luka Zrnic
Monomer
Polymer
Examples of protein
Functional Groups Always Present
Functions of protein
Antibodies- Defend the body from antigens like viruses and bacteria. Ex. white blood cells
Contractile- involved in movement and muscle contraction ex. myosin and actin
Transport- Move molecules from one place to another in the body. Ex. Hemoglobin transports oxygen throughout the blood
Hormones - Help coordinate activities throughout the body. Ex. Insulin, which regulates the glucose metabolism.
Structural - Stringy proteins support other parts of the body. Ex. Collagens provide support for connective tissues by holding on with strength.
Storage - Store amino acids. Ex. Ovalbumin, which is found in egg whites.
How does the structure of a protein allow for its function?
Antibodies- Antibodies bind foreign molecules that are not other anti-bodies and are shaped in unique Y-like shapes to use their "arms" to bind these foreign molecules.
Contractile- Have stripes that contract and extend allowing for the structural movement of muscles
Transport- Many transport proteins are also globular proteins and like hemoglobin they have compact and spherical structure that allows them to easily pass through blood vessels and the rest to the body to transport the molecules more quickly.
Hormones- Are also referred to a messenger proteins (in fact most are hormones), that are also mostly globular proteins, and have spherical shape but are much smaller like Oxytocin, and use their shape to move even more quickly and deliver messages to the body.
Structural- Have a helical super-coil like shape like rope that helps the strength of its structural integrity to maintain support in the body.
Storage- Contain many bonds (bonds are where most of the energy is stored) and thus more room for the energy to be stored.