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What Are The Six Functions Of Proteins
Proteins are very complex natural substances made up of amino acid molecules held together by peptide bonds. Proteins are present in all living organisms and are essential biological compounds such as enzymes, hormones and antibodies.
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Protein synthesis takes place in the ribosomes of cells. In eukaryotic cells, ribosomes are found as free-floating particles within the cell and are embedded in the cleft endoplasmic reticulum, a cell organelle.
Protein is not stored in animals for later use. When an animal eats too much protein, it is converted to fat (glucose or triglycerides) and used for energy or to build energy stores. , muscle wasting and eventually death if the deficiency is severe.
Protein is essential for life and is required for many different activities. Protein enzymes catalyze most of the chemical reactions that occur in cells. Proteins provide many structural components to cells, and help bind cells together within cells. Proteins, in the form of antibodies, protect animals from disease, and many hormones are proteins. Proteins regulate gene activity and regulate gene expression.
Protein, a complex substance found in all living things. Proteins have great nutritional value and are directly involved in chemical processes essential to life. The importance of protein was recognized by chemists as early as the 19th century, including the Swedish chemist Jonas Jacob Berzelius, who coined the term in 1838.
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, which means “to take first place”. Proteins are of a special type; That is, the protein of one species is different from another. They are also organ specific; For example, in an organism, muscle protein is different from brain and liver.
Protein molecules are much larger than sugar or salt molecules and contain many amino acids linked together to form long chains like beads arranged on a string. There are about 20 amino acids that occur naturally in proteins. Similar proteins have the same amino acid composition and sequence. Although it is not yet possible to explain the function of a protein from its amino acid sequence, the relationship between structure and function can be explained by the properties of the amino acids that make up the protein.
Plants can synthesize all amino acids; Animals cannot, even though they are essential to all life. Plants can grow in inorganic nutrient media that provide nitrogen, potassium, and other nutrients needed for growth. They use carbon dioxide in the air during the process of photosynthesis to make organic compounds such as carbohydrates. However, animals must obtain organic nutrients from outside. Since most plants are low in protein content, the plant material needed by animals, such as domestic animals (such as cattle), which eat only plants to meet their nutritional needs, is high in amino acids. Non-vegetarian animals, including humans, obtain their protein primarily from animals and their products—for example, meat, milk, and eggs. Legumes are being used to make cheap protein-rich foods (
The protein content of animal organs is generally much higher than that of plasma. For example, muscle contains about 30 percent protein, liver about 20 to 30 percent, and red blood cells about 30 percent. A high percentage of protein is found in hair, bones and other organs with low water content. The amount of free amino acids and peptides in animals is much lower than that of protein; Protein molecules are produced in cells by the slow synthesis of amino acids and are released into body fluids when synthesis is not complete.
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The amount of protein in certain organs does not mean that the importance of protein is related to their amount or fat in the body; In contrast, some of the most important proteins, such as enzymes and hormones, are present in very small amounts. The importance of proteins is mainly related to their function. All enzymes known so far are proteins. Enzymes, which catalyze all metabolic reactions, enable an organism to synthesize the chemicals necessary for life—proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids—to convert and break them down into other substances. Life is impossible without enzymes. There are many protein hormones with important regulatory functions. In all vertebrates, the respiratory protein hemoglobin acts as an oxygen carrier in the blood, carrying oxygen from the lungs to the organs and body. A large group of structural proteins maintain and protect the structure of the animal’s body. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and protein is the building block of muscles, cartilage, bones, skin, and blood. Essential for life, amino acids also make hormones and neurotransmitters, and help protect us from disease and illness. We can’t live without them, so let’s spend some time understanding these biological heroes. We’ll look at the importance of protein and amino acids, their composition, and all types, from essential amino acids to ketogenic amino acids and everything in between.
We’ll get into the details of the structure of amino acids later, but to understand their role as protein building blocks, it’s important to understand how proteins are made.
Scientists have identified approximately 500 amino acids, of which only 20 are used to make proteins in the human body, earning them the sobriquet proteinogenic amino acids.
These 20 amino acids are linked in different combinations to form different types of proteins. This simple method will suffice for now.
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Proteins make up all the cells in our body, but like proteins, they are made up of different amino acids, each of which has its own function.
Certain proteins provide structure to our hair, skin, nails, bones and tissues. Others are used to make enzymes that stimulate biochemical reactions in our bodies. Others make hormones that transmit information between cells, organs, and tissues, while many are involved in muscle growth and maintenance.
Proteins help balance fluid balance and pH levels, and strengthen immune system health through the formation of antibodies, or immunoglobulins, which protect against bacteria and viruses.
Protein is a macronutrient like fat and carbohydrate, but unlike fat and carbohydrate, protein cannot be stored in the body. It is converted into glucose or triglycerides and used for energy or to build up your energy stores. Any excess is excreted by the kidneys as urea. While you don’t want to eat too much protein, as doing so can damage your kidneys, disrupt the body’s pH levels, and increase calcium excretion leading to osteoporosis, you should also make sure You should be able to eat enough protein to replenish your body. Body needs. .
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Experts say 0.8 grams of protein per 2 kilograms of body weight meets the minimum protein requirement, but bodybuilders, athletes, adults and patients need more protein, and may benefit from extra help. are
Before we look at the best way to meet your protein needs, let’s take a look at which amino acids are most important in your diet.
The 20 proteinogenic amino acids in the standard genetic code are divided into three main categories that you may already be familiar with: essential amino acids, non-essential amino acids and conditionally essential amino acids.
Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized in the body and must be obtained as part of your diet and/or through prescribed supplements.
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Essential amino acids all play a role in protein synthesis, but let’s get to know their specific functions better.
These amino acids are just as important to health as essential amino acids, but your body can produce them, so they are not an important part of your diet. they:
Also called semi-essential amino acids, conditionally essential amino acids are non-essential amino acids that become essential under conditions of stress, injury or disease because the body has difficulty producing them. Nutritional support is required in these cases.
So, what’s the best way to meet your protein needs? By eating foods rich in amino acids, especially complete proteins that contain all nine essential amino acids.
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However, if you are dealing with an illness or injury, it is likely that your protein needs will not be met through diet alone. Likewise, if you’re older and prone to age-related muscle wasting, your body doesn’t respond as easily to building muscle with essential amino acids, and you’ll benefit from additional support. And if you want to build muscle, you really want to speed up your resistance training program
