Protein Basics/Overview
Proteins are a group of organic macromolecules, along with lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Protein structure is similar to all organic molecules, in that it utilizes a base carbon chain, the "backbone", with a variety of molecules attached, and are generally composed of smaller organic molecules - Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, and Amino acid side chains.
Proteins are composed of smaller molecules known as amino acids, of which there are 20; humans produce 10. Proteins, in turn, compose a majority of structures within organic lifeforms, making them a vastly important molecule. Proteins compose two other macromolecules - deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, and ribonucleic acid, or RNA - and are the structural basis to the body's muscles and bone, as well as structures such as collagen and keratin (skin components). Most importantly, enzymes themselves are proteins, which allow for rapid chemical reactions in the body, and survival.
Proteins are a group of organic macromolecules, along with lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Protein structure is similar to all organic molecules, in that it utilizes a base carbon chain, the "backbone", with a variety of molecules attached, and are generally composed of smaller organic molecules - Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, and Amino acid side chains.
Proteins are composed of smaller molecules known as amino acids, of which there are 20; humans produce 10. Proteins, in turn, compose a majority of structures within organic lifeforms, making them a vastly important molecule. Proteins compose two other macromolecules - deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, and ribonucleic acid, or RNA - and are the structural basis to the body's muscles and bone, as well as structures such as collagen and keratin (skin components). Most importantly, enzymes themselves are proteins, which allow for rapid chemical reactions in the body, and survival.