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How does protein help the body?
lots of stuff! channel proteins are used in membranes, DNA is wound round histomes (proteins) ribosomes are made of proteins, just so much stuff
What do cells use protein for?
Proteins make up about 50-60% of the dry mass of a cell. They are composed of subunits of amino acids attached to one another by peptide bond (-CONH2).Proteins have five major roles in the cells: receptors (hormones), enzymes, structural materials, channels and pumps.Common examples of proteins related to function on cells:1. Receptors of neurotransmitters (cholinergic receptors receive acetylcholine molecules) in synapses of neuronal system.2. Enzymes catalyzing the breaking down of neurotransmitters, such as cholinesterase enzyme.3. Structural materials like cytoskeleton and its filaments.4. Channel proteins such as Na+ channels which is voltage-gated.5. Pumps or ATPase pumps such as Ca2+ pumps in sarcoplasmic reticulum of muscle cellsReceptor proteins are usually in the form of glycoprotein are found within the cell membrane as a way to receive information from hormones or other chemicals. When bounded to the substance, the protein receptor initiates an avalanche of reactions within the target cells usually to carry out cellular activities. Example insulin secreted during high blood glucose levels targets the liver and muscle cells to increase their permeability to glucose, increase the metabolic activity of the body and increase rate of conversion of glucose into glycogen. Glucagon is the opposite and is secreted by cells during hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level) so that cells limit the expenditure of glucose as well as increase conversion of glycogen into glucose to level up the blood glucose level.In the cell, there are three types of protein bound to the cell membrane. These are the transmembrane proteins, integral proteins, and the peripheral proteins.Transport of substances across membranes (into or out of the cells) is a function of proteins. For transport, the integral (also called intrinsinc) proteins are used. Intrinsinc prteins are classified as carrier proteins and channel proteins.Transport of substances across the cell membrane is mediated by these intrinsinc proteins. Channel protein are selective transporters that do not require energy for transport of substances across the membrane, the may be gated channels (requiring external stimulation for opening). Carrier channels require energy or an electrochemical gradient for movement of substances in and out of the cell.Proteins can also are the skeleton of the cells, known as the cytoskeleton. Cytoskeleton is made up of three types of filaments. Filaments of cells are:1. microfilaments are made up of actin protein (used in muscular contraction),2. microtubules are made of tubulin protein (confers motility to cells ex. bacterial cells),3. intermediate filaments are made of several stable proteins.Functions of cell filaments (cytoskeleton):(i) gives cells its characteristic shape (animal cells)(ii) as anchorage for the cell membrane(iii) determine distribution of the cell organelles(iv) confer motility to certain cells.
