The Main Functions of Proteins

Function Class of Protein Examples Use

Structure Fibers Collagen Cartilage
Metabolism Enzymes Lysosomes Cleve polysaccharide
Proteases Breakdown protein
Polymerases Produce nucleic acid
Kinases Phophorylate sugars
and proteins
Membrane Channels Sodium-potassium Exitable membrane
transport pump
Anion channel Transport chlorine
Osmotic Albumin Serum Albumin Maintains osmotic
regulation concentration of blood
Regulation of Repressor genes Lac repressor Regulates transcription
gene action
Regulation of Hormones Insulin Controls blood glucose
body function level
Vasopressin Increases water
retention by kidney
Oxytocin Regulates milk
production
Transport Globins Hemoglobin Carries oxygen and
throughout the carbon dioxide in the
body blood
Myoglobin Carries oxygen and
carbon dioxide in the
muscle
Cytochrome Electron transport
Storage Ion-binding Ferritin Stores ion specially
spleen
Casein Stores ion in milk
Calmodulin Binds calcium ion
Contraction Muscle Actin Contraction of muscle
Myosin fibers
Defense Immunoglobulins Antibodies Mark foreign proteins
for elimination
Toxins Snake venom Blocks nerve function
Biologically Important Macro Molecules and their Repeating Units

Biological Polymer
PROTEINS NUCLEIC ACID POLYSACCHARIDE
Kind of Informational Informational Storage
macromolecule Structural
Examples Enzymes DNA Starch
Hormones RNA Glycogen, Cellulose
Antibodies
Repeating Amino acid Nucleotides Mono-saccharide
monomers Mono-saccharide
Number and kinds 20 4 DNA One or few
of repeating units 4 RNA One or few

The 30 most Common Small Molecules in Cells

Kind of molecule Number Name of molecules Role in
present cell
Amino acid 20 Alanine Leucine
Arginine Lysine Monomeric units
Asparagine Methionine of all proteins
Aspartate Phenylalanine
Cysteine Proline
Glutamate Serine
Glutamine Threonine
Glycine Tryptophan
Histidine Valine
Isoleucine Thymine
Uracil
Acromatic base Components of
5 Adenosine, Guanine, nucleic acid
Purine Pyrimidine Cytosine, Thymine, Uracil DNA
RNA
Sugar Ribose Component of
(monosaccharides) 2 nucleic acid
Glucose Energy
metabolism,
component of
starch and
glycogen
Lipid 3 Choline, Glycerol, Components of
Palmitate phospholipids
Biological Importance

Organic Compound Significance

PROTEINS Essential in building and repairing of body cells and
tissues
Enzymes are proteins, they aid in speeding up almost all
chemical reactions in the body
Brings about individual differences because each of us is
made up of different proteins in our body
Serves as transport molecules, reserve food and provide
protection as antibodies
Hormones as proteins controls body function
CARBOHYDRATES Serve as backbone of other molecules
Act as energy storage such as starch, cellulose, and
glycogen
Combined with proteins to form structural components
of living cells
Provides fuel for muscles and organs
FATS Energy storage
Key component of cell membrane
Carriers of vitamin A, D, E and K as raw materials for
hormones

- This copy of abbreviation is also joined for further uses and also as part of the reviewer,
but is not a remainder out of the original copy. As for the latter reason, underneath the
amino acid is its two abbreviations (the 3-letter and the 1-letter). -YT

Alanine Glutamic Acid Leucine Serine

Ala Glu Leu Ser
A E L S
Arginine Glutamine Lysine Threonine
Arg Gln Lys Thr
R Q K T
Asparagine Glycine Methionine Tryptophan
Asn Gly Met Trp
N G M W
Aspartic acid Histidine Phenylalanine Tyrosine
Asp His Phe Tyr
D H F Y
Cysteine Isoleucine Proline Valine
Cys Ile Pro Val
C I P V