what role does proteins play in an organism?

Question

I need this answer by 11/13 for a project.

Answer 1

Proteins are probably the most diverse compounds in living organisms. Their roles are many.

Firstly, you have structural proteins, or proteins that support or give structure to various tissues. Such proteins are collagen, elastin and keratin. Collagen and elastin are found in the skin. The collagen gives skin it's durability, while elastin gives it it's elasticity. Keratin is the protein found in fingernails and hair. Flagella in single cell organisms also consist of proteins.

Other important structual proteins fall into the category of motor proteins. Two of such are actin and myosin. These proteins work together to allow muscles to contract, which makes them functional and structural.

Enzymes are also proteins. Enzymes catalyze reactions that are necessary for life sustaining functions. Some of the many enzymes are pepsin, amylase and acetylcholine esterase. Each enzyme has it's own target substrate. For instance pepsin targets proteins and breaks them down into amino acids.

Hormones can be proteins too. Hormones are responsible for delivering chemical messages from cells or tissues to other cells and tissues in the body. However, not all hormones are proteins.

Sometimes working together with hormones are membrane proteins that are located within the cell membrane whose primary function is to bind a signaling molecule and induce a chemical response within the cell.

Also within the cell membrane are transport proteins. These are proteins that span the width of the cell membrane and allow passage of materials either passively or actively through the membrane. Some transport proteins are as simple as pores or channels that allow materials to simply pass through their openings. Other proteins require chemical energy in the form of ATP to carry molecules across against the concentration gradient.

Proteins even have a role in immunology. Antibodies are proteins whose main function are to bind antigens or foreign substances in the body and target them for destruction.

But there's more! Ligand transport proteins such as hemoglobin bind certain molecules and transport them to other cells throughout the body.

Well, that's about all the uses for proteins I can think of. I hope it helps.

Answer 2

The previous answer describes protein funcion in a nutshell. There are 100 of examples of each role. If you have to organize an answer, I would chose three examples of each role to describe in depth. BUT if the question is simply what role (s) do ptoteins play in an organism, the four aforementiond are the correct answers.

Answer 3

It would be easier to list what proteins do not do in an organism. Go to protein on wikipedia, for structural, signaling, hormonal and transport functions.

Answer 4

proteins play the part that tells you to do your own Dechristian this is from Brianna Roberts that is on your team

Answer 5

I don't know, but if you find out tell me! I have some protein drinks in the fridge.