The Significance of one Molecule

Proteins are the single most important and structurally sophisticated molecules known. Their variation in shape and constituents separate their specific functions in nature. A polymer is defined as a molecule that is composed of multiple monomers and a protein contains 20 different amino acids which act as its monomers. An amino acid's structure is described as an asymmetric carbon which contains four open slots that consist of a hydrogen atom, a carboxyl group, and an amino group. The fourth slot is what separates one type of amino acid from another, and this is what we call the R group or side chain.


Above is a structure of an individual amino acid. A polypeptide chain consists of two or more amino acids linked together with the carboxyl group bonded to the amino group.
A protein is defined as one or more polypeptide chains twisted, wound, and folded upon themselves to form a macromolecule with a definite three dimensional shape. The function of a protein(its ability to bind to some other molecule) depends on its unique structure which in turn depends on its unique sequence of R groups. This is an amazing observation because one molecule and its polarity in the end determine determine these following functions occur in our body:

1)Structural Proteins: Support-tissues, tendons, hair, horns, feathers, quills, skin appendages
2) Storage Proteins: Storage of amino acids- Casein protein of milk is a major source of amino acids for baby mammals
3) Transport Proteins:Transport of other substances-Hemoglobin, the iron-containing protein of blood transports oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body.
4) Hormonal Proteins: Coordination of bodily activities- Insulin, a hormone created by the pancreas that helps regulate sugar in the blood.
5) Contractile proteins: movement- Actin and myosin work together to contract muscles in the body.
6) Antibodies: Defense- Fight against bacteria and foreign substances
7) Enzymes: Aid in chemical reactions- speed up chemical processes.