Seven Major Functions of Proteins – Flashcards
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Structure
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Support for tissues. Provide connections between body parts (collagen, keratin-structural protein in hair and skin)
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Signaling
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Chemical messengers. Send signals between cells (membrane proteins, serotonin-happiness in the brain, hormones-insulin)
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Defense
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Recognize and combine with other materials (Immunoglobins-antibodies of the immune system, cell membrane proteins)
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Transport
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Bind to specific materials and carry them around the body (hemoglobin-carries oxygen in blood, membrane proteins)
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Contractile
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Contract muscle fibers allowing for movement (actin, myosin)
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Storage
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Preserve amino acids until they are needed (raw amino acids such as egg whites-albumin)
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Enzyme
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Speed up the rate of a specific chemical reaction (lactase-catalyzes the hydrolysis of lactose)
