Protein

A protein (in Greek πρωτεϊνη = first thread) is a complex, high-molecular-weight organic compound that consists of amino acids joined by peptide bonds. Proteins are essential to the structure and function of all living cells and viruses.

Related Topics:
Greek - Organic compound - Amino acid - Peptide bond - Cells - Virus

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Many proteins are enzymes or subunits of enzymes. Other proteins play structural or mechanical roles, such as those that form the struts and joints of the cytoskeleton, serving as biological scaffolds for the mechanical integrity and tissue signalling functions. Still more functions filled by proteins include immune response and the storage and transport of various ligands. In nutrition, proteins serve as the source of amino acids for organisms that do not synthesize those amino acids natively.

Related Topics:
Enzyme - Subunits - Cytoskeleton - Immune response - Ligand - Amino acids - Organism

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Proteins are one of the classes of bio-macromolecules, alongside polysaccharides, lipids, and nucleic acids, that make up the primary constituents of living things. They are among the most actively-studied molecules in biochemistry, and were discovered by Jöns Jakob Berzelius in 1838.

Related Topics:
Macromolecules - Polysaccharide - Lipid - Nucleic acid - Living things - Molecule - Biochemistry - Jöns Jakob Berzelius - 1838

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Almost all natural proteins are encoded by DNA. DNA is transcribed to yield RNA, which serves as a template for translation by ribosomes.

Related Topics:
DNA - Transcribed - RNA - Translation - Ribosome

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