Amino Acids and Their Function in Proteins

Proteins

• There are 4 different uses of protein in our body

1. Structural Proteins

• Such as "keratin", this makes hair and nails, and collagen.
  
• Supports ligaments, tendons, and skin
• The plasma membrane of our cells sometimes form channels allowing things to enter and leave cells. These channels are made of protein.
  

2. Hormones

• These are messengers that influence cellular metabolism

3. Antibodies

• These are made out of proteins as well as other body fluids
• These combine with foreign substances, preventing them from destorying cells
• Also prevents from upsetting homeostasis
  

4. Enzymes

• Speed up chemical reactions
  

Amino Acids

• An amino acid is a building block for proteins


• When two Amino Acids join it’s formed into something called a Dipeptide water is also formed

• There are only 20 Amino Acids in the world

• There are 3 parts [Acid + Amino + R group]

The R group represents one of the 20 Amino Acids

• An example of an Amino Acid:

• A peptide bond is associated with oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen
• Oxygen usually has a partial negative charge and Hydrogen a partial Positive