What are the functions of proteins?

Proteins are by far the most important of all biological compounds . The very word protein is derived from the Greek proteios, meaning of first importance , and the scientists who named these compounds more than 100 years ago chose an appropriate term. Many types of proteins exist ,and they perform a variety of functions, including the following

Movement
Every

time we crook a finger, climb stairs ,or blink an eye, we use our muscles. Muscle expansion and contraction are involved in every movement we make. Muscles are made up of protein molecules called myosin and actin

Transport
A

large number of proteins perform transportation duties. For example , hemoglobin , a protein in blood , carries

oxygen from the lungs to the cells in which it is used and carbon dioxide from the cells to the lungs . Other proteins transport molecules across cell membranes .

Hormones
Many

hormones are proteins , including insulin ,erythropoietin ,and human growth hormone.

Protection

When a protein from an outside source or some other foreign substance (called an antigen) enters the body , the body makes its own proteins (called antibodies) to counteract the foreign protein . This antibody production is one of the major mechanisms that the body uses to fight disease. Blood clotting is another protective function carried out by a protein ,this one called fibrinogen. Without blood clotting ,we would bleed to death from any small wound.

Storage
Some

proteins store materials in the way that starch and glycogen store energy . For example, casein in milk and ovalbumin in eggs store nutrients in newborn mammals and birds . Ferritin, a protein in the liver ,stores iron.

Regulation
Some

proteins not only control the expression of genes ,thereby regulating the kind of proteins synthesized in a particular cell , but also dictate when such manufacture takes place.

Structure
We

know that the main structural material for plants is cellulose .For animals, it is structural proteins , which are the chief constituents of skin , bones , hair, and nails. Two important structural proteins are collagen and keratin.

Catalysis
Virtually

all the reactions that take place in living organisms are catalyzed by proteins called enzymes.

Required for building and repair of body tissues (including muscle)

Enzymes, hormones, and many immune molecules are proteins

Essential body processes such as water balancing, nutrient transport, and muscle contractions require protein to function. Protein is a source of energy. Protein helps keep skin, hair, and nails healthy. Protein, like most other essential nutrients, is absolutely crucial for overall good health

These are not the only function of proteins but they are the most important . Clearly , any individual needs a great many proteins To carry out this varied functions.

A typical cell contains about 9000 different proteins: the entire human body has about 100,000 different proteins .
We can classify proteins in two major types;

Fibrous proteins, which are insoluble in water and are used mainly for structural purposes.
Globular proteins, which are more or less soluble in water and are used mainly for nonstructural purposes.