proteins

Foundations of Biology
Created by: Beyonce Harris, Axel Pena ,Taiz Jones
Submitted to: Mrs. Sharla White.
Date: 06/10/20
 Introductory Activity: Interesting facts
Proteins perform a very vast array of functions in the human body,
including catalyzing metabolic reactions, DNA replication and responding to
stimuli.
Protein plays an important role in improving the brain function in humans. It
provides building blocks, which is needed to create a healthy nervous system to
keep the brain healthy.
Proteins are large molecules formed from many amino acids combined in a long
chain. Typically several hundreds or even thousands of amino acid molecules are
combined together to make a protein.
Proteins make up about two-thirds of the total dry mass of a cell. They differ from
carbohydrates and lipids in that they contain the element nitrogen, and usually the
element sulfur, as well as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
How to test for proteins:
• The biuret test is used as an indicator of the presence of protein
because it gives a purple colour in the presence of peptide bonds .
• A protein solution, an equal quantity of sodium hydroxide solution is
added and mixed.
• Then a few drops of 0.5 per cent copper(II) sulfate is introduced with
gentle mixing.
• A distinctive purple colour develops without heating.
 Examples of biomolecule (proteins):
• Collagens:
Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in animals in general. In our skin it
forms a mat in the deepest layers. It occurs in tendons, cartilage, bone, teeth and in
the walls of blood vessels. It also forms the cornea of the eye.
It provides your skin with structure and strengthening your bones.
This abundant protein helps build connective tissues in everything from our joints
to our hair to our skin. Different types of collagens have function.
 cytokeratin:
• Cytokeratin's are keratin proteins found in the intracytoplasmic cytoskeleton of
epithelial tissue. They are an important component of intermediate filaments,
which help cells resist mechanical stress. Expression of these cytokeratin's within
epithelial cells is largely specific to particular organs or tissues.
• There are two types of cytokeratin:
The low weight or the acidic type I cytokeratin's and the high weight or basic or neutral type II
cytokeratin. The high-molecular-weight cytokeratin's or basic or neutral cytokeratin's comprise
numerous subtypes, namely CK1, CK2, CK3, CK4, CK5, CK6, CK7, CK8, and CK9. The low-
molecular-weight cytokeratin's or acidic cytokeratin's comprise CK10, CK12, CK13, CK14,
CK16, CK17, CK18, CK19, and CK20.