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Cells are the complex unit of life; everything currently considered to be alive consists of one or more cells. Because cells are alive, they metabolize, reproduce, and respond to environmental stimuli in ecological and evolutionary time. This involves several very complex systems of cell structures and metabolic pathways, each built out of one or more of the four categories of organic compounds - polysaccharides, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Proteins are involved in most systems, mainly due to their subcategory of enzymes. Enzymes facilitate chemical transformations and motor movements, including DNA replication and gene expression. Proteins are, in short, the functional aspect of a cell and could be construed as controlling the cell, although it should be stressed that proteins only carry out the specific functions dictated by their structures, which is coded for by DNA.

A common misconception is that DNA, as the "code of life" containing all the cell's information, controls the cell as the brain controls the body. However, DNA merely stores information; proteins "read" and carry out all of the nuclear information within the cell while the molecules of DNA themselves are completely passive.

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What role do proteins, specifically enzymes, play in biological processes?

Proteins, especially enzymes, are essential in biological processes as they act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions in cells. Enzymes help regulate and control various metabolic pathways, allowing cells to function properly and efficiently.


What is the main function of genes is to control?

Genes control the production of proteins, which are essential for various biological processes in an organism. These proteins determine traits, regulate cell functions, and play a crucial role in maintaining overall health and functioning of the body.


How do period genes regulate the circadian rhythm in organisms?

Period genes regulate the circadian rhythm in organisms by producing proteins that interact with other molecules to control the timing of biological processes, such as sleep-wake cycles. These proteins form a feedback loop that helps maintain the body's internal clock.


What do proteins do for the cells?

Proteins play a vital role in cells by performing various functions such as catalyzing chemical reactions (enzymes), carrying out cellular processes (structural proteins), regulating gene expression (transcription factors), and facilitating communication between cells (signaling proteins). They are involved in nearly every aspect of cell structure and function.


What are three critical things genes must be able to do?

Genes must be able to store information to pass on hereditary traits, regulate the expression of proteins to control cellular processes, and undergo mutations to generate genetic diversity.

Related Questions

What are three functional proteins?

control the rate of reactions and regulate cell processes. forms bones and muscles. transport substances in/out of cells or to help fight disease.


What other main functions do proteins serve?

as enzymes to control the rate of reactions and regulate cellular activity


What role do proteins, specifically enzymes, play in biological processes?

Proteins, especially enzymes, are essential in biological processes as they act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions in cells. Enzymes help regulate and control various metabolic pathways, allowing cells to function properly and efficiently.


Which organic molecule controls the rates of reactions and regulate cell processes?

Enzymes are organic molecules that control the rates of reactions and regulate cellular processes. They act as catalysts by lowering the activation energy needed for a reaction to occur, thereby increasing the reaction rate. Enzymes are highly specific to their substrates and play a crucial role in maintaining cellular function.


What are the proteins that control reactions in a cell?

The proteins that control reaction in a cell are enzymes.


What do proteins act as to control reactions?

enzymes


What is the main function of genes is to control?

Genes control the production of proteins, which are essential for various biological processes in an organism. These proteins determine traits, regulate cell functions, and play a crucial role in maintaining overall health and functioning of the body.


What kind of macromolecule controls the rate of reaction?

Proteins control the rate of reactions and regulate cell processes. Others form important cellular structures, while still others transport substances into or out of cells to help fight disease.


What do cylins regulate?

Cyclins are proteins that regulate the cell cycle by binding to and activating cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which then help control the progression of the cell cycle. Together, cyclins and CDKs regulate important processes such as DNA replication and cell division.


Are proteins that control the rates of chemical reactions?

enzymes


What protein and some hormones influence all chemical processes occurring in living organisms?

Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions in living organisms, influencing all chemical processes. Hormones, such as insulin, thyroid hormone, and adrenaline, also play a key role in regulating various physiological processes in the body. Together, enzymes and hormones help control and coordinate the vast array of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms.


What is the group of proteins that help control chemical reactions?

AnswerHormones. They are chemicals produced by the endocrine glands in the body and control a wide variety of biological activities. One very important endocrine gland is the pea-sized pituitary at the bottom of the brain. It produces hormones that regulate growth, secondary sex characteristics, blood pressure, kidney function milk production in females, etc.