Cadabes, April Rose T.
BSED Science SC22
Narrative Report
List the diverse roles proteins play in Biological Systems
Protein
The name Protein comes from the Greek word proteos,
meaning “primary” or “first place.”
Proteins are made up of amino acids that join
together to form long chains. The protein could be
assumed of as a string of beads, each bead representing
an amino acid. There are 20 amino acids in one’s body
that help to form the thousands of different proteins.
Proteins spend the majority of their time in the cell and
perform a variety of functions.
Protein is an essential nutrient. There is no life
without protein since Protein is contained in every part
of your body, the skin, muscles, hair, blood, body
organs, eyes, even fingernails and bone.
The 5 roles of protein play in our body: Messenger, Enzymes, Structural, Defensive
and Transport or Storage.
Messenger proteins
These proteins are secreted by the endocrine glands and act as chemical
messengers that transmit signals from one cell to another. Hormones are an example of
messenger proteins.
They’re made and secreted by endocrine tissues or glands and then transported
in your blood to their target tissues or organs where they bind to protein receptors on
the cell surface.
An example of a hormonal protein is insulin which is secreted by the pancreas to
regulate levels of blood sugar.
Also, adrenaline which is secreted by the adrenal glands especially in conditions
of stress increases rates of blood circulation breathing. Adrenaline is also known as the
“fight-or-flight hormone.” It’s released in response to a stressful, exciting, dangerous, or
threatening situation.
Enzymes
Enzymes are causes Biochemical Reactions. It is a
protein that aid the thousands of biochemical reactions
that take place within and outside of our cells. Enzymatic
proteins help accelerate chemical reactions in our body.
These include liver functions stomach digestion are just a
couple examples. Digestive enzymes help break down
food into simple forms that your body can easily absorb.
Bodily functions that depend on enzymes include:
Digestion, Energy production, Blood clotting and Muscle
contraction. Lack or improper function of these enzymes can result in disease.
Structural Protein
Structural proteins are necessary components of our body. A class of proteins
known as fibrous proteins provide various parts of our body with structure, strength and
elasticity. These proteins include keratin, collagen and elastin.
Keratin is a structural protein that is found in your skin, hair and nails.
Collagen forms the connective framework of our muscle’s bones and cartilage. Collagen
is the most abundant protein in our body and is the structural protein of the bones,
tendons, ligaments and skin.
Elastin is several hundred times more flexible than collagen. Its high elasticity allows
many tissues in your body to return to their original shape after stretching or contracting,
such as your uterus, lungs and arteries.
Defensive proteins
It Bolsters Immune Health or our immune system. Proteins help form
immunoglobulins, or antibodies, to fight infection. Defensive proteins like antibodies are
large Y-shaped proteins, used by the immune system to identify and attack harmful
bacteria and viruses.
Transport and Storage Proteins
Some proteins transport nutrients throughout your entire body, while others store
them. It transports proteins carry substances throughout your bloodstream. Into cells,
out of cells or within cells. The substances transported by these proteins include nutrients
like vitamins or minerals, blood sugar, cholesterol and oxygen. For example, hemoglobin
carries oxygen to the body tissues from the lungs. And calbindin is another protein that
helps with the absorption and storage of calcium.
Protein transporters are specific, meaning they will only bind to specific
substances. In other words, a protein transporter that moves glucose will not move
cholesterol. Proteins also have storage roles. Ferritin is a storage protein that stores iron.
Another storage protein is casein, which is the principal protein in milk that helps babies
grow.
Protein plays a significant role in our bodies. It aids in the repair and
development of your body's tissues, as well as allowing metabolic reactions and
coordinating bodily functions. Proteins not only provide a structural framework for
one’s body, but they also keep the pH and fluid balance in check.
Finally, they support our immune system, transport and store nutrients, and
can provide energy if necessary. Protein is one of the most essential nutrients for
your health because of these functions.
References:
MooMooMath and Science (2020) Functions of Protein In The Body - How The Body Uses
Proteins. United States. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_E7mq8bv4g
De Walle, Gavin Van. (2018) 9 Important Functions of Protein in Your Body. Healthline
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/functions-of-protein