Biological Macromolecules: Proteins Overview

Study Notes

Enzymes

Specialized proteins that catalyze biological reactions in living cells.
Regulate nearly all biological reactions critical for life.

Transport Proteins

Assist in the transport of essential chemicals, gases, and nutrients within the body.
Examples include hemoglobin and blood plasma proteins.

Storage Proteins

Store nutrients within cells or tissues, serving as a reserve food supply.
Can be mobilized to provide energy when necessary, e.g., casein and ferritin.

Contractile/Motile Proteins

Responsible for muscle movement and contraction.
Change shape to facilitate movement; key examples include actin and myosin.

Structural Proteins

Provide support and structure to various tissues.
Include collagen in tendons, elastin in ligaments, keratin in hair/nails, and fibroin in silk.

Regulatory Proteins

Control cellular activities and physiological functions.
Includes insulin for blood sugar regulation, growth hormones affecting mineral transport, and repressors influencing enzyme biosynthesis.

Monelin

A protein derived from an African plant, known for its intensely sweet taste.
Used as a non-toxic sweetener for human consumption.

Antifreeze Proteins

Found in the blood plasma of Antarctic fish.
Protects blood from freezing in sub-zero temperatures.

Resilin

A protein found in the wing hinges of certain insects.
Known for its exceptional elastic properties.

Fibrous Proteins

Characterized by a rod-like structure; insoluble in water.
Composed of polypeptide chains aligned parallel to the axis, reinforced by strong hydrogen and disulfide bonds; examples include collagen and keratin.

Globular Proteins

Spherical in shape and highly soluble in water due to their amino acid composition.
Includes myoglobin, albumin, globulin, casein, hemoglobin, various enzymes, and protein hormones.

Membrane Proteins

Associated with lipid membranes, often embedded in the lipid bilayer.
Features amino acids that interact with the non-polar environment; typically insoluble in water.

Simple Proteins

Upon hydrolysis, yield only amino acids, without other major by-products.
Examples include albumin from egg whites, globulins from serum, glutelin from wheat, and coryzenin from rice.

Conjugated Proteins

Release both amino acids and additional organic or inorganic components when hydrolyzed.
The non-amino acid part is known as the prosthetic group; classification depends on the nature of prosthetic groups.

Description

This quiz covers the essential functions and types of proteins in biological systems. Explore enzymes, transport, storage, contractile, structural, and regulatory proteins, understanding their roles in life processes. Test your knowledge on how these proteins contribute to cellular function and overall physiology.

Biological Macromolecules: Proteins Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the function of enzymes?

Which of the following is an example of a transport protein?

Storage proteins provide what during nutrient requirements?

Which proteins are responsible for muscle movement?

An example of a structural protein is ______.

What is the role of regulatory proteins?

Monelin is a protein used as a food sweetener.

What is the function of antifreeze proteins in Antarctic fish?

Resillin is a protein that exhibits ______ properties.

Fibrous proteins are soluble in water.

What distinguishes globular proteins?

Membrane proteins are soluble in aqueous solutions.

What do simple proteins yield upon hydrolysis?

What is a conjugated protein?