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What are proteins? 


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Proteins are essential polymers made up of 20 amino acids, exhibiting dipolar characteristics and diverse structures such as primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary. Their unique properties, including amphiphilicity and biodegradability, enable various applications like metal nanoparticle synthesis, drug delivery, and bio-nanomedicine. Proteins are fundamental components of living cells, acting as molecular machines with intricate functions influenced by their native structures and sequence-structure relationships. In terms of nutrition, consuming proteins is crucial for the human body, with animal sources offering complete proteins but posing environmental challenges, while plant-based options are more sustainable but may lack certain essential amino acids. Proteins are often metaphorically described as machines, motors, and messengers, reflecting their diverse roles in cellular activities.

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Proteins are essential for the human body, requiring 0.8g/kg body weight daily. They consist of all essential amino acids, found in animal foods or a variety of plant-based sources for sustainability.
Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2022
Proteins are polymers of amino acids, with dipolar properties and various structural levels. They can be classified as globular (e.g., hemoglobin) or fibrous (e.g., collagen).
Book ChapterDOI
28 Apr 2022
Proteins are described as machines, motors, and more in cells, carrying out structural and functional roles. Metaphors aid in understanding their diverse functions in cellular activities.
Proteins are essential biopolymers with amphiphilic nature, diverse functional groups, and unique structures. They play crucial roles in various applications like drug delivery, biosensors, and body functioning.
Proteins are essential molecular machines in living cells, carrying out diverse functions based on their native structures. They integrate principles from geometry, mathematics, physics, quantum chemistry, evolution, and biology.

Related Questions

What are proteins and amino acids?5 answersProteins are the most abundant organic compounds in the human body and are made up of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and have unique functional groups that classify them into different categories. They play major roles in various biochemical functions and are essential for protein structure and function. Amino acids are also used therapeutically and their derivatives are used in certain diseases. Carbohydrates, proteins, and amino acids are natural products acquired from plants, animals, and microorganisms. Proteins act as building blocks, regulate body processes, transport materials, and provide energy. Amino acids are the structural units of proteins and are essential for vital processes such as protein synthesis. Traditional sources of food proteins include milk, meats, eggs, cereals, legumes, and oilseeds. Protein and amino acid metabolism play crucial roles in cellular and body weight homeostasis, appetite regulation, and energy production. Amino acids, peptides, and proteins are elementary components of the natural world and play important roles in metabolism and biological adhesion processes.
What are the structures of proteins?4 answersProteins are complex macromolecules that play a crucial role in the functioning of living organisms. The structures of proteins are determined by the arrangement of their constituent amino acids. These structures are essential for understanding various biological phenomena and are utilized in describing and interpreting genetic regulation, enzyme mechanisms, antibody recognition, cellular energetics, and mechanical properties of molecular assemblies. Protein structures are made up of emergent building blocks such as helices and planar sheets, and a simple geometrical model of a flexible tube provides a unified framework for understanding the common characteristics of globular proteins. The packing between and among alpha-helices and pleated sheets, along with primary and secondary structures, are the major determinants of the three-dimensional structure of proteins. The folding of proteins into their native three-dimensional conformations is a complex process that involves various factors and is still not fully understood.
What is the importance of proteins?5 answersProteins are essential biopolymers with unique properties such as amphiphilicity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. They have diverse functional groups and can be functionalized with various targeting ligands. Proteins play a crucial role in a variety of applications, including the synthesis and stabilization of metal nanoparticles, drug and gene delivery, vaccines, biosensors, and biocatalysis. In addition, proteins are important for athletes as they contribute to muscle strength and optimize athletic performance. Protein intake from good sources is necessary for the synthesis of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Proteins also control metabolic processes and hormone regulation. However, excessive protein consumption can have negative effects on various body systems. Furthermore, proteins are targets of free radicals, which can affect their activity, unfolding, degradation, and cell functioning. Sulfur-containing amino acids play a specific role in protein degradation and oxidative lesions. Food proteins provide essential amino acids, energy, and specific biological activities that can influence cardiovascular health, bone health, weight management, and sports performance. Overall, proteins are of primary importance to tissue structure and function and are essential components of the diet.
What is The Importance of Proteins?5 answersProteins are essential biomolecules that play a fundamental role in various biological processes. They have unique properties such as amphiphilicity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, which make them versatile for various applications in medicine, nanotechnology, and energy sources. In the context of sports performance, proteins are crucial for building muscle strength, supporting metabolic processes, and hormone regulation. However, the quantity and quality of protein intake must be carefully balanced to avoid negative effects on the body systems. Understanding the functions of proteins is vital for the development of pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, as seen in the study of proteins encoded by the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Protein functional prediction is a challenging problem that requires computer science approaches and machine learning techniques. Overall, proteins are important for body functions, disease defense, and the development of new biomedical tools and technologies.
What is protein and the definition?5 answersProteins are essential components of a healthy diet and are found in all living cells. They are diverse macromolecules made up of amino acids and have a wide range of functions in the body. Proteins interact with other molecules and carry out various biological processes. They can be found in a variety of sources such as meat, eggs, milk, fish, and soy. Proteins provide essential amino acids and contribute to the maintenance and survival of the body. Understanding the structure and behavior of proteins is important in fields such as nutrition, biology, chemistry, and physics. Analytical methods are used to determine the concentration, structure, and functional properties of proteins in food. Overall, proteins play a crucial role in the diet and have a significant impact on human health and well-being.
What is the physiological importance of proteins?5 answersProteins are essential for the proper functioning of living cells and organisms. They play a crucial role in various biological processes, including tissue structure and function, energy generation, growth, and immune protection. Proteins are involved in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and the removal of damaged and modified components, such as oxidized and modified proteins, through proteolytic systems. They also contribute to the overall antioxidant defense by preventing and repairing oxidative damage. Additionally, proteins carry out a wide range of functions, including sensing, movement, transmission of nerve impulses, and control of growth and differentiation. Understanding the structures, functions, and interactions of proteins is crucial for the advancement in the diagnosis, treatment, and drug discovery processes for various diseases and disorders.

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