What is Protein? What Does It Do?

What is Protein?

Proteins, which are the most important macro of healthy nutrition, are the most common organic molecules in the structure of living things. It is the energy sources that take part in all vital activities carried out by the organism.

Proteins are polymers that can contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen elements as well as sulfur elements. Monomers of proteins are amino acids. In other words, proteins are composed of amino acids.

Building Blocks of Proteins

Proteins are formed by the combination of amino acids. In the structure of an amino acid, it is attached to the carbon atom in the center; there is a hydrogen atom, an amino group, a carboxyl group and a variable (radical) group symbolized by "R".

Variable groups of 22 different amino acids in living things are different from each other. A large part of these amino acids can be produced in the human body. Amino acids that cannot be produced in the human body must be taken from the outside with nutrients. These are called essential (essential) amino acids.

The carboxyl group of one amino acid interacts with the amino group of the other amino acid. With the dehydration reaction, a molecule of water is released, the peptide bond is established and the dipeptide is formed.

Protein Synthesis

If a large number of amino acids combine with the dehydration reaction, polypeptides are formed. The length of the polypeptides can range from a few amino acids to thousands of amino acids. Protein molecules are formed by combining one or more polypeptides that have acquired a specific three-dimensional structure.

Polypeptide synthesis takes place in ribosomes according to the DNA code. Millions of different polypeptides can be synthesized as a result of the combination of amino acids in different numbers, varieties and sequences.

How Are Proteins Degraded?

Factors such as high and low temperature, strong acids and bases, intense salt, high pressure, radiation disrupt the structure of proteins. This phenomenon is called denaturation.

A denatured protein loses its biological properties but does not lose its nutritional value. For example, when the egg is cooked, the proteins it contains as a result of high temperature are denatured and there is no return.

In denaturation, peptide bonds between amino acids are preserved, the three-dimensional structure of the protein is impaired and becomes unable to function. Some denatured proteins can be reinstated. This is called renaturation.

What Are the Duties of Proteins?

Proteins act as constructors, restorators and regulators in living things. Proteins in the structure of the cell membrane allow recognition and transport of substances.

Enzymes that accelerate biological reactions and act as catalysts are made of protein. Hormones such as insulin and glucagon, which have a protein structure, act as regulators.

Defense proteins such as antibodies recognize foreign substances entering the body and neutralize microorganisms.

Hemoglobin, which is in the structure of red blood cells, is made of protein and carries respiratory gases. Blood clotting occurs through proteins.

Structural proteins such as collagen are involved in the structure of bones, cartilage and joints. There are protein in structures such as hair, nails, feathers and horns. Muscle contraction is again performed by protein threads.

When proteins are used as energizers, ammonia occurs as well as carbon dioxide and water as discharge waste.

Foods Containing Protein

Protein-rich foods that play an important role in the body; they are meat, milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, legumes, cereals, and nuts. Only
herbal or animal foods do not contain all the amino acid types necessary for the body. For this reason, a diet program suitable for amino acids should be established.

Animal proteins: Chicken meat, red meat, fish, eggs, milk, yogurt, kefir, cheese, curd cheese

Vegetable proteins: Peanuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, chickpeas, almonds, lentils, haricot beans, peas, pumpkin seeds, cashews, mushrooms

What happens in protein deficiency?

When the body does not get enough protein, growth slows down. In addition, weakness, dryness, shrinkage, hair loss and edema are observed throughout the body. Repair of the worn tissues becomes difficult. The immune system is weakened.

Proteins cannot be stored directly in the body. Excess proteins taken from outside are converted into fat and stored. This causes obesity, damaging the kidneys and liver. It also causes urinary excretion of calcium and gout.