The Protein Puzzle

Protein Functions and Basics

• Proteins serve numerous functions including structure, transport, enzymes, and immune responses.
• One function that is commonly misunderstood or not included is energy storage, which is NOT a primary function of proteins.

Basic Monomer of Proteins

• The basic monomer of proteins is the amino acid. Amino acids link together through peptide bonds to form polypeptides and proteins.

Diversity of Amino Acids

• There are 20 different amino acids that occur in the proteins of living organisms, contributing to the vast diversity of protein structures and functions.

Components of Amino Acids

• Amino acids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur. However, phosphorus is NOT a standard component of amino acids.

Muscle Contraction Protein

• The protein responsible for muscle contraction is actin, which works in conjunction with myosin to enable muscle movement.

Test your knowledge on proteins and their various functions in this quiz. Explore topics such as hormone production, enzyme activity, cell membrane composition, immune defense, and oxygen transport.