The Function and Structure of Proteins

The Function and Structure of Proteins Proteins are very important molecules in our cells  and are essential for all living organisms.  By weight, proteins are collectively the major component of the dry weight of cells and are involved in virtually all cell functions. Key Takeaways Proteins are involved in just about all cell functions and are key molecules in living cells.The typical protein is constructed from one set of twenty amino acids and a particular proteins design helps with its specific function in the cell.Antibodies, contractile proteins, and enzymes are three important types of specialized proteins found in living organisms.Occurring in the cytoplasm, translation is the process through which proteins are synthesized. Each protein within the body has a specific function,  from cellular support to cell signaling and cellular locomotion. In total, there are seven types of proteins, including antibodies, enzymes, and some types of  hormones, such as insulin. While proteins have many diverse functions, all are typically constructed from one set of 20  amino acids. The structure of a protein may be globular or fibrous, and the design helps each protein with their particular  function. In all, proteins are absolutely fascinating and a complex subject. Lets explore the basics of these essential molecules and discover what they do for us. Antibodies Antibodies are specialized proteins involved in defending the body from antigens (foreign invaders). They can travel through the bloodstream and are utilized by the immune system to identify and defend against bacteria, viruses, and other foreign intruders. One way antibodies counteract antigens is by immobilizing them so they can be destroyed by white blood cells. Contractile Proteins Contractile proteins are responsible for muscle  contraction and movement. Examples of these proteins include actin and myosin. Enzymes Enzymes are proteins that facilitate biochemical reactions. They are often referred to as catalysts because they speed up chemical reactions. Enzymes include lactase and pepsin, which you might hear of often when learning about specialty diets or digestive medical conditions. Lactase breaks down the sugar lactose found in milk. Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that works in the stomach to break down proteins in food. Other examples of digestive enzymes are the enzymes present in saliva. Salivary amylase, salivary kallikrein, and lingual lipase all perform important biological functions. Salivary amylase is the primary enzyme found in saliva and it helps to break down starch into sugar. Hormonal Proteins Hormonal proteins are messenger proteins which help to coordinate certain bodily activities. Examples include insulin, oxytocin, and somatotropin. Insulin regulates glucose metabolism by controlling the blood-sugar concentration. Oxytocin stimulates contractions during childbirth. Somatotropin is a growth hormone that stimulates protein production in muscle cells. Structural Proteins Structural proteins are fibrous and stringy and because of this formation, they provide support for various body parts. Examples include keratin, collagen, and elastin. Keratins strengthen protective coverings such as skin, hair, quills, feathers, horns, and beaks. Collagens and elastin provide support for connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments. Storage Proteins Storage proteins store amino acids for the body to use later. Examples include ovalbumin, which is found in egg whites, and casein,  a milk-based protein. Ferritin is another protein that stores iron in the transport protein, hemoglobin. Transport Proteins Transport proteins are carrier proteins which move molecules from one place to another around the body. Hemoglobin is one of these and is responsible for transporting oxygen through the blood  via red blood cells. Cytochromes are another that operate in the electron transport chain as electron carrier proteins. Amino Acids and Polypeptide Chains Amino acids are the building blocks of all proteins, no matter their function. Most  amino acids  follow a particular structural property in which a carbon (the alpha carbon) is bonded to four different groups: A hydrogen atom (H)A Carboxyl group (-COOH)An Amino group (-NH2)A variable group Of the 20 amino acids that typically make up proteins, the variable group determines the differences among the amino acids. All amino acids have the hydrogen atom, carboxyl group,  and amino group bonds. Amino acids are joined together through dehydration synthesis to form a peptide bond. When a number of amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds, a polypeptide chain is formed. One or more polypeptide chains twisted into a 3-D shape forms a protein. Protein Structure We can divide the structure of protein molecules into two general classes: globular proteins and fibrous proteins. Globular proteins are generally compact, soluble, and spherical in shape. Fibrous proteins are typically elongated and insoluble. Globular and fibrous proteins may exhibit one or more types of  protein structure.   There are four levels of protein structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary. These levels are distinguished from one another by the degree of complexity in the polypeptide chain. A single protein molecule may contain one or more of these protein structure types. The structure of a protein determines its function. For example, collagen has a super-coiled helical shape. It is long, stringy, strong, and resembles a rope, which is great for providing support. Hemoglobin, on the other hand, is a globular protein that is folded and compact. Its spherical shape is useful for maneuvering through blood vessels. In some cases, a protein may contain a non-peptide group. These are called cofactors and some, such as coenzymes, are organic. Others are an inorganic group, such as a metal ion or iron-sulfur cluster. Protein Synthesis Proteins are synthesized in the body through a process called translation. Translation occurs in the cytoplasm and involves the translation of genetic codes into proteins. The gene codes are assembled during DNA transcription, where DNA is transcribed into an RNA transcript. Cell structures called ribosomes help translate the gene codes in RNA into polypeptide chains that undergo several modifications before becoming fully functioning proteins.

Population Control and Earths Sustainability Research Paper

Population Control and Earths Sustainability - Research Paper Example No matter the increase in population, the earth cannot exceed its ‘carrying capacity’. Proponents of population control argue that if the current trend of increase in world’s population continues without any action taken to control, it will lead to overpopulation that would exceed the earth’s capacity (Navarro 1). However, the big question raised here is what is the carrying earth’s capacity and is it possible to measure this capacity? This is because one needs to know the exact carrying capacity of the earth for them to say that it would be exceeded with the bulging human population. The truth is there is no conclusive evidence showing the carrying capacity of the earth and indicating that if the world’s population exceeds a certain level, the earth will not be able to sustain it. In fact, the earth can comfortably sustain the human population as it still has enough resources to achieve this. However, to achieve this requires proper maintenan ce of these resources to avoid wastage. In addition, the earth still has vast land and resources to cater for the population. For example, Tanzania in East Africa has a population of about California and Virginia’s population combined, but with a land larger than Virginia, Arizona, Michigan, and California combined (Navarro 2). This is just an example of several countries with vast land enough to sustain their populations, and the populations beyond. Increase in population does not automatically lead to a reduction in earth’s resources for the population causing famine and starvation.

Research paper final Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Research paper final - Essay Example This should change because maintaining vibrant Internet demands that the government respects privacy of the information people share online. This research paper argues that illegal data mining is a threat to the Internet and American technology companies. According to data from American data companies, National Security Agency’s Internet surveillance, and illegal data mining is hurting international sales of American Internet companies and hurting online freedom. Estimates by a policy research group called Information Technology & Innovation Foundation says by 2016 US companies will lose an estimated $35 billion in lost revenues (Herman 15). Some of the companies likely to lose out most are Apple and Google that benefit most from an open Internet without national boundaries. Data mining is become an important way of getting personal information because so many people rely on the Internet to communicate and get all types of information. According to Carr (2008), he does not all his research as a writer online. Previously, he had to get magazines, books, and other written materials to research and this used a lot of time and slowed down his productivity. Internet research on the other hand is easy. He says that he starts his research by selecting a few articles, which guides him onto resources that are more similar by clinking on links. Within a short time, he is able to get quality resources that he can use for his writings. The downside of this convenience is his activities can easily be tracked. Search engines and other websites track their visitors using cookies. Tracking is done for purposes of advertising. The other groups of people interested in online activities of people are hackers and the NSA. Hackers are interested in stealing personal informa tion for personal gain. NSA on the hand track online users in order to detect illegal online activities and communications between

Health Care Services in Oman Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Health Care Services in Oman - Research Proposal Example The specific case of Oman gives a very attractive picture on the government support for the public health care delivery systems. The government support exists for 95 percent of all hospitals functioning in Oman. This would cover the human resource support extended for employing doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff in the hospitals. In addition to the political will and the financial support ensured to carry out the set objectives the active involvement of the community another important factor that have helped Oman to attain new heights in the health care services. The survey reports available have showed a public satisfaction level of 70 percent in the delivery of health services thus showing high level of acceptance in the programmes. The broad aim of the research is to investigate the role played by the community groups to percolate the health care support and delivery to the remote locations and also to the underprivileged in the society. The community based interventions in the health care sector in Oman is said to have contributed in the success achieved in the recent years. An in-depth analysis of the prevailing issues on various practices and policies that are followed in the hospitals in Oman has been reported ( Al Balushi and West, n.d.). The researchers emphasis various innovative strategies that need to be evolved in order to make the health care services more effective and efficient. Khandekar et al (2010) reports public health evaluation exercise undertaken to assess the vision impairment in the children below five years. Authors highlights the categorization defects identified in children, which would help them to frame, better intervention steps among this age group. The need for the continuous medical education to enhance the public outreach of the medical profession is also investigated (Anwar and Batty, 2007). The process of continuous medical education is found as the one of the vital requirement for ensuring the better health care support in Oman. Most of the studies reported have tried to give the outcome of the various health related initiatives in the Oman. All the studies reported have unanimously agreed on the improvement of health care services through community level institutions. But information on the key factors that make these institutions function is not yet reported in detail. Thus the proposed research would address this lacuna and give inputs for better delivery of services through this organizations. Methodology The two important philosophies being considered for this

World history new Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

World history new - Essay Example The Atlantic revolution is an epoch that yielded numerous interrelated revolts between 1770s and 1820s. The revolutions remain crucial in the light of world history because they define present politics, traditions as well as elicited the right to stage upheavals. The American revolution of 1775-1783, which saw America swim into independence from the British colonization and the creation of a new state, the United States of America (USA), can be linked to a sequence of the Atlantic revolutions. The American revolutionary wars, under the leadership of General Washington aided with his French allies, were directed towards the autocratic British administration. The period between 1789 and 1799 was an era in which the French Revolution was a major historic phenomenon. During the period, democracies substituted absolute monarchies, which led to a stronger France. Even though historians and researchers still debate about the cause of the French Revolution, they have settled on taxation schemes as well as widespread inequality as principal factors that led to the uprising. Also, the idea of the involvement of France in America’s fight for independence is seen as a motivating factor as the French learned from the American independence war. The Napoleonic wars were the central driver of the French Revolution, which saw the collapse of major monarchies and creating a leeway for the formation of new nations. It also spearheaded successive revolutions like the Russian Revolution. Prior to the French Revolution, the French society was segregated into three major classes: the monarchy, peasants and the church clerks. However, the societal stru cture was flattened after the revolution and France was publicly proclaimed a republic. The Haitian Revolution (1790-1804) was the force behind the independence of Haiti. The Haitian Revolution remains a crucial part of world history because it is unique compared with other revolution in that it was successfully staged by slaves

Society and Culture Aims and Objectives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Society and Culture Aims and Objectives - Essay Example This could be said to be the capacity of the human beings to affect choices between alternatives, and to exercise and to impose those choices on society. It is normally contrasted to common forces, which are causes involving only spontaneous processes. Human agencies envisages the apparent claims that humans do, in fact, make decisions and endorse them on How humans come to make decisions, by free choice or other processes, is another issue.(Agency(Philosophy) 2008). Individualized human behaviour is a complex and intricate process of the human mind and behaviour, although aspects of group behaviours patterns could be predicted with reasonable degree of certainly and accuracy. The mental buildup and behaviourism of criminal thoughts and actions could offer analysis on its workings. It has earlier been explained that structure deals with the grouping, or collective mass of homogenous or, even heterogeneous matters to form a social structure or arrangement. In the criminal settings, a prison, or a penitentiary may serve to act as a social structure, group or setting. Even in terms of psychiatry, which relies heavily on sociology and social behaviourism, crime could be explained in terms of perverse or anti-social connotations. More than a desire to accumulate wealth, or money, criminal minds works to wreck revenge or retribution on the establishment since they may, at some time, have suffered deprivations at its hands. Again, the structure of the criminal mind, or the process of criminalised society is an offshoot of the social structure, which forms the basis of this paper. Centralization of wealth: Thus, it is seen that social structures creates avenues for disillusionment for people in terms of wealthy cliques, class differences and other subgroups. This in turn, may centralize wealth or potential for wealth in the hands of a select few to the exclusion of the toiling masses. The disparities in the social groups give rise to disillusionment, frustration, poverty and resultant criminal behaviour. Nevertheless, one could argue that criminals are present e vent in the wealthy groups, so where does the nexus between social groups and crime, organized or otherwise, arise When we consider that a wealthy criminal is governed not by class considerations but his intentions to negate society, to dominate and control it, to the exclusions of others, including legally elected Governments of countries. In the case of India, in parts of Northern provinces, people pay taxes to the local Mafiosi's and not to government, since they are well aware that the government cannot protect their lives or properties, but the Mafias could. These organized criminal groups or

World history new Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

World history new - Essay Example The Atlantic revolution is an epoch that yielded numerous interrelated revolts between 1770s and 1820s. The revolutions remain crucial in the light of world history because they define present politics, traditions as well as elicited the right to stage upheavals. The American revolution of 1775-1783, which saw America swim into independence from the British colonization and the creation of a new state, the United States of America (USA), can be linked to a sequence of the Atlantic revolutions. The American revolutionary wars, under the leadership of General Washington aided with his French allies, were directed towards the autocratic British administration. The period between 1789 and 1799 was an era in which the French Revolution was a major historic phenomenon. During the period, democracies substituted absolute monarchies, which led to a stronger France. Even though historians and researchers still debate about the cause of the French Revolution, they have settled on taxation schemes as well as widespread inequality as principal factors that led to the uprising. Also, the idea of the involvement of France in America’s fight for independence is seen as a motivating factor as the French learned from the American independence war. The Napoleonic wars were the central driver of the French Revolution, which saw the collapse of major monarchies and creating a leeway for the formation of new nations. It also spearheaded successive revolutions like the Russian Revolution. Prior to the French Revolution, the French society was segregated into three major classes: the monarchy, peasants and the church clerks. However, the societal stru cture was flattened after the revolution and France was publicly proclaimed a republic. The Haitian Revolution (1790-1804) was the force behind the independence of Haiti. The Haitian Revolution remains a crucial part of world history because it is unique compared with other revolution in that it was successfully staged by slaves