The Role of Proteins

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ROLE OF PROTEINS

Proteins have several different functions in both plants and animals. Proteins are made up of many amino acid molecules all bonded together by peptide bonds. Therefore proteins are also known as polypeptides. Protein synthesis occurs on the ribosomes of cells and require a supply of amino acids which is found in the cytoplasm. Amino acids constitute of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen atoms and sometimes may include sulphates and phosphates. As shown below a typical amino acid has an amino group on one end and a carboxyl group on the other end. Also any other type of group ((r)) could join onto the central carbon in the molecule resulting in different types of amino acids.
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Due to the amino and carboxyl groups, amino acids are amphoteric which means that they have both acidic and basic properties. The amino group is alkaline and the carboxyl group is acidic therefore amino acids can act as good buffers in the human body. Buffers are essential in the body to keep conditions such as pH constant for efficient metabolic reactions. The buffering effect may take place, for example, in the stomach. So when the conditions are too acidic then the amino group can take in the excess hydrogen ions or if the pH is too high then ...

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