PROTEINS

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What are
Proteins?

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2008-2009

Characteristics of Proteins
made up of elements Carbon (C),
Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O),
Nitrogen (N) and Sulfur (S)
Second most common molecules
after water that can be found in the
body
can be found in ALL living cells
made up of 10-20% of the mass of a
cell

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Characteristics of Proteins
made up of chains or polymer of amino
acids
Amino acids are building blocks of
proteins
can be classified by number of amino acids
in a chain
Dipeptides: 2 amino acids
Polypeptides: more than 10 amino acids
Proteins: more than 50 amino acids

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General Structure of Amino Acids

Amino
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Carboxylic Acid
R-group

General Structure of Amino Acids

Amino acids are organic molecules that contain two

functional group
Base: amino group- NH2
Acid: carboxylic acid group COOH

When 2 amino acids react with each other in an acid-base

reaction, a peptide bond is formed.

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What is a peptide bond?

H2O

Condensation

Water is formed

Reaction
Dipeptide Chain

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Peptide bond

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Essential vs. Nonessential

Amino Acids

Out of 20 amino acids, only 11 can be synthesized by the

body and 9 have to be supplied by the food we eat.

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The 9 amino acids are called essential amino acids

The 11 amino acids are called nonessential amino acids

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Structure of Proteins: PRIMARY

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Structure of Proteins: SECONDARY

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Structure of Proteins: TERTIARY

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Structure of Proteins: QUARTERNARY

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Functions of Proteins in the Body

The functions of proteins depends on their

composition and structure

Particular shape of each protein molecule

determines its function within the body

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Functions of Proteins: DIGESTION

Enzymes, a biological catalyst speeds up

the breakdown of starch, are protein
molecules.
All chemical reactions occurring within the
body require the help of enzymes.
Without enzymes, metabolic reactions would
occur too slowly to support life.

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Functions of Proteins: TRANSPORT

Proteins help transport
materials throughout the
body and into and out of
cells.
The protein
hemoglobin, which
gives red blood cells
their color, transports
oxygen to body cells and
carries away carbon
dioxide
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Functions of Proteins: PROTECTION

Proteins create
specialized
antibodies that
attack pathogens
that may cause
illness.
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Functions of Proteins: MOVEMENT

Proteins are the bodys
building materials,
providing strength and
flexibility to tissues,
tendons, ligaments,
muscles, bones, nails,
hairs and skin
Also needed for the
ongoing maintenance
of the body.
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Functions of Proteins: FLUID BALANCE

Proteins play a major role in
ensuring the body fluids are
evenly dispersed in the blood
and inside and outside of the
cell.
If protein levels in the
blood fall too low, osmosis
causes fluid to leak out of the
blood vessels and
accumulate in the tissues,
causing swelling known as
EDEMA, as shown here.
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