Protein: Functions
Proteins are the most versatile macromolecules in
living systems and serve crucial functions in
essentially all biological processes.
- made up of C, H, O, N, S
- Compose of amino acids
Basic Structure of Amino Acids
Carbons are denoted by greek letters
Glutamic acid
Functions of Protein
1. Growth and Maintenance
• Under normal circumstances, your body breaks
down the same amount of protein that it uses to
build and repair tissues.
• During pregnancy, illness or other conditions, it
breaks down more protein than it can create, thus
increasing your body’s needs
Functions of Protein
2. Causes Biochemical Reactions
• Enzymes are proteins that aid the thousands of
biochemical reactions that take place within and
outside the cells
• The structure of enzymes allows them to combine
with other molecules inside the cell called
substrates, which catalyze reactions that are
essential to your metabolism
• Function that highly depend on enzymes:
digestion, energy production, blood clotting,
muscle contraction
Functions of Protein
3. Act as a Messenger
• Some proteins are hormones
• Protein and polypeptides make up most of your
body’s hormones.
• Examples include: insulin (signals the uptake of
glucose), glucagon (signals the breakdown of
stored glucose in the liver)
Functions of Protein
4. Provide Structure
• Some proteins are fibrous and provide cells and
tissues with stiffness and rigidity
• Examples:
Keratin is a structural protein that is found in
your skin, hair and nails
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your
body and is the structural protein of your bones,
tendons, ligaments and skin
Functions of Protein
5. Maintains proper pH
• Protein plays a vital role in regulating the
concentrations of acids and bases in your blood
and other bodily fluids
• One way to regulate pH is with proteins. An
example is hemoglobin, a protein that makes up
red blood cells.
Hemoglobin binds small amounts of acid, helping to
maintain the normal pH value of your blood.
• The other buffer systems in your body include
phosphate and bicarbonate
Functions of Protein
6. Balance Fluids
• Albumin and globulin are proteins in your blood
that help maintain your body’s fluid balance by
attracting and retaining
• Decrease in protein intake lowers the globulin and
albumin level thus proteins can no longer keep
blood in your blood vessels, and the fluid is forced
into the spaces between your cells which causes
edema (especially in stomach region) results in
malnutrition called kwashiorkor
Functions of Protein
7. Bolster Immune Health
• Proteins help form immunoglobulins, or
antibodies, to fight infection
• Antibodies are proteins in your blood that help
protect your body from harmful invaders like
bacteria and viruses.
• When these foreign invaders enter your cells,
your body produces antibodies that tag them for
elimination
Functions of Protein
7. Bolster Immune Health
• Without these antibodies, bacteria and viruses would be
free to multiply and overwhelm your body with the
disease they cause.
• Once your body has produced antibodies against a
particular bacteria or virus, your cells never forget how to
make them.
• This allows the antibodies to respond quickly the next
time a particular disease agent invades your body
• As a result, your body develops immunity against the
diseases to which it is exposed
Functions of Protein
8. Transport and Stores Nutrient
• Transport proteins carry substances throughout your
bloodstream — into cells, out of cells or within cells.
• Example: Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen
from your lungs to body tissues.
• Glucose transporters (GLUT) move glucose to your
cells, while lipoproteins transport cholesterol and other
fats in your blood.
• Protein transporters are specific, meaning they will only
bind to specific substances. In other words, a protein
transporter that moves glucose will not move cholesterol
Functions of Protein
9. Provides Energy
• Proteins can supply the body with energy
• Protein contains four calories per gram, the same
amount of energy that carbs provide but fats supply the
most energy, at nine calories per gram.
• the last thing your body wants to use for energy is
protein since this valuable nutrient is widely used
throughout your body
• Carbs and fats are much better suited for providing
energy, as your body maintains reserves for use as fuel
Functions of Protein
9. Provides Energy
• Protein supplies your body with very little of its energy
needs under normal circumstances
• However, in a state of fasting (18–48 hours of no food
intake), your body breaks down skeletal muscle so that
the amino acids can supply you with energy
• Your body also uses amino acids from broken-down
skeletal muscle if carbohydrate storage is low.
• This can occur after exhaustive exercise or if you
don’t consume enough calories in general
Protein vs Carbohydrates (Protein Diet)
Required Protein/Day: Women - 50 grams
Men - 60 grams
With High protein diet required protein is higher.
Look for other sources like: beans, meat, nuts, grains, eggs,
seafoods, cheese and soy (vegetarian source).
Restrict Carbs like: cereals, grains, fruits and possibly
vegetables
Protein vs Carbohydrates (Protein Diet)
How does it work?
When carbs were cut, you lose weight quickly because you
lose water
With no extra carb, the body begins burning more fat for
fuel
Can lead to ketosis, which may make losing weight easier
because you feel less hungry
But can cause temporary headaches, irritability, nausea, bad
breath and sometimes sleeping problems
Activity: handwritten
1. 5 more examples of enzymes and their functions
2. 3 more more examples of protein hormones and their
functions
3. Classifications and structures of amino acids
