Proteins are complex molecules that play a big part in many biological functions. They consist of amino acids and participate in almost all cellular activities. While most people think of muscle-building when they see protein icons, these molecules do so much more.
Types of Proteins
There are seven different types of proteins made up of 20 different amino acids. These proteins all serve unique purposes within the human body.
Antibodies
An antibody is a protein that defends the body against invaders. The immune system uses them to identify and attack potential invaders that might cause health issues. For example, they combat bacteria, viruses and anything else that enters the bloodstream.
Contractile Proteins
Here are the proteins that most people are familiar with, even if they don't know what they're called. Contractile proteins are responsible for muscle contraction and movement.
Enzymes
There are many types of enzymes, and you may see unique protein icons to represent them. The purpose of an enzyme is to enable an organism to collect the chemicals it needs to sustain life. It plays a part in all metabolic reactions, and your body needs enzymes to function properly and keep you alive.
Hormonal Proteins
A hormonal protein is a chemical messenger. It's what coordinates certain biological functions, traveling between systems to keep organs and processes on the same page. For example, testosterone is an androgen that tells the body to develop male organs and characteristics. With hormonal proteins, it influences everything from sex organs to the nervous system.
Structural Proteins
As the name implies, structural proteins maintain and protect an organism's physical structure. One of the most well-known structural proteins is collagen. It makes up tissue, supporting your skin, joints, bones and more.
Storage Proteins
A storage protein saves amino acids for use later. When the body doesn't need more amino acids for other proteins, they live in storage proteins.
Transport Protein
A transport protein carries molecules from one part of the body to another. Think of hemoglobin. It's a transport molecule that moves oxygen from the lungs to various organs and tissues.
Enhance your chemistry projects with our comprehensive collection of high-quality chemistry icons - visit this website now and take your designs to the next level!
