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| What is Proteins? |
Amino acids
The organic compounds containing carboxyl group, alkyl group and at least one amino group are called amino acids. These amino acids when combine or reacts then a bigger molecule is formed and water is removed during this reaction. General formula of amino acids is R – CH – NH2 – COOH.
Peptide bond or Peptide linkage
When the OH hydroxyl group of carboxyl group of one amino acid and H hydrogen of amino group of other amino acids are removed in the form of water then the bond that joins two amino acids is called peptide bond or linkage. And a protein formed when thousands of amino acids are joined together through peptide bonds. Proteins are giant ( big ) molecules so to reduce the occupied space they form a folded structure.
Proteins
The word protein has been derived from the Greek language Proteios Or Pro which means first or primary and Teins means Body.
So, proteins are primary to our body and all living organism. The proteins are giant bio organic compounds which are
Composed of joining the amino acids thus it is defined as
"Any class of nitrogenous organic compounds
which are combination of thousands of amino acids and are an essential part of all living organisms, especially as structural components like hair, nails, cartilage and enzymes etc. is called proteins." Hence the proteins are the combination of amino acids which joined together through peptide bond.
Amino acids in proteins
Hundreds of amino acids are possible in protein but only 20 amino acids are found in the proteins of our body where 10 amino acids are synthesized by our body called non - essential amino acids and the remaining 10 cannot be synthesized by our body which is called essential amino acids.
Importance of Proteins
The importance of proteins is as follow
- Proteins in the form of skin, hair, cartilage and muscles protect and provide the structure to the multi cellular organism.
- Proteins are important to us in the form of enzymes, harmones, antibodies and globulins.
- The proteins are important to us as proteins catalyse, regulate and protect the body chemistry.
- Proteins in the form of hemoglobin, myoglobin and various lipoproteins transport oxygen and other
- Substances in our body.
- Protein is also important for growth and development in children, teens, and pregnant women.
Hydrolysis of Proteins
The word hydro means water and lysis means break down. Thus hydrolysis of
Proteins means break down of proteins by water. Hence on hydrolysis a protein yield or produces amino acids which helps in rebuilding of body proteins.
Structure of proteins
Proteins are very large molecules thus the proteins have achieved a unique
Three-dimensional shape. As proteins are so large bio organic compounds so in order to reduce their occupied spaces proteins have formed folded structure due to Hydrogen bonding between amino groups and carboxyl groups in neighbouring regions of the protein chain.
Sources of Proteins
Proteins make the basic stuff of not only human but also of other animals and to some
Extend of plants. So, both animals and plants are the source of proteins such as
- 50% dry mass of animals is made up of proteins. Such as nails etc.
- Plants prepare proteins by themselves simply from elements like C, H, O and N.
- Animals prepare proteins by eating plants (eating amino acids in their foods).
- We can also obtained proteins by eating meat, eggs, beans fruits and pulses etc.
- The dry fruits and seeds are also the source of proteins for us.
Types of Functional group in amino acid
Amino acids are actually such organic compounds in which two types of functional groups are present. One functional group is Amino group (NH2) and the second functional group is Carboxyl group (COOH).
Functions of Proteins
The Proteins perform a variety of functions in our body. Some of them is as follow
- The proteins constitute the main stuff of our body and almost proteins are present in every tissue of our body.
- The proteins serve as the carrier to carry many substances from part to another part in our body.
- As a catalyst these proteins catalyze reactions in our body. And with proteins our will stop all functions.
- The proteins also serve as a harmones and thus run the tissue systems well in our body.
- The proteins are also used in many fields other than foods. Such as leather which is also a proteins is used in making of shoes, cloths and sports items. Etc.
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