What simple organic compounds are proteins? Structure and properties of functions

Proteins play an important role in the work of the human body. What they consist of, what their structure and properties are, read in the article.

General information about proteins and their classification

The importance of proteins was determined in the nineteenth century. Scientists gave the name to these substances "proteins", which means "the first, the main". The chemical reactions occurring in the protein have an important feature. They form the basis for the creation of new cells.

Because of the complex structure of protein molecules and the large number of functions performed, it is very difficult for scientists to create a single classification. Therefore, knowledge of proteins was classified according to several criteria:

1. The composition of chemicals, proteins are simple and complex. What do simple and complex proteins consist of? The first consists of only amino acids. In complex proteins, non-protein compounds are added to them.
2. By function, proteins, organic compounds, differ in several classes:

• Catalytic proteins are enzymes that perform the function of accelerating chemical reactions. Without their participation, processes that are called synthesis and disintegration are impossible.

• Transport proteins bind hormones, fatty acids and many other compounds of organic and inorganic origin. Then they get into the blood and are transferred to that area of the body where they are needed. These proteins actively transport substances, using for this biological membranes of sugars, lipids, ions and amino acids.
• Proteins performing the supporting function. With their participation, a cellular skeleton is formed. The most common are: collagen, performing connective tissue function, keratin of nails and hair, elastin of vascular cells and others. In combination with lipids, they represent the structural basis of membranes.
• Protective function of proteins. Antibodies (immunoglobulins) bind pathogenic microorganisms trapped in the body, and then neutralize their effect on the human body. Without the participation of thrombin and fibrinogen, the process of blood clotting is impossible.
• Regulatory function - the protein maintains in normal state the activity of the body, organs, cells and all processes occurring in the body.
• Proteins give muscle cells the ability to contract, so movement is carried out. With the help of receptor proteins, body cells perceive information from the external environment, transmit nervous excitement.

What are proteins?

These are high-molecular compounds of organic composition. What do proteins consist of? Twenty kinds of amino acid residues are involved in their construction, which consistently combine to form chains of great length. Before research, protein was called the substance of the eggs of birds, which, when heated, coagulates, and an insoluble white mass is formed.

Later this name was given to many substances of vegetable and animal origin that have similar properties. The number of proteins in all living organisms predominates over other compounds. Their dry weight is more than half of the total protein mass.

Presumably, in nature there are up to tens of billions of these compounds for individual use. For example: the bacterium of Escherichia coli contains three thousand different kinds of proteins. The proteins include enzymes that are involved in chemical transformations occurring in cells.

Protein composition

Proteins are polymers of a non-periodic order. What simple organic compounds are proteins? Their monomers are twenty kinds of amino acids. Depending on the ability to synthesize in the body, amino acids are replaceable and irreplaceable. The former have the ability to synthesize, and the latter do not, and moreover, their presence in the body is associated with the ingestion of food.

What simple organic compounds are proteins? The composition of amino acids distinguish high-grade and defective proteins. The first group is characterized by the content of all amino acids, and the second is distinguished by the absence of any of them.

Proteins containing only amino acids are called simple proteins. If, besides amino acids, there are other components - complex. They can be metals, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acid.

Simple proteins

What simple organic compounds are proteins? About their composition, read below. Proteins are called proteins. By the characteristic properties are divided into the following groups:

• Albumins - have the property of dissolving in water, when heated, coagulate, do not precipitate with solutions of various salts.
• Globulins - do not dissolve in water, but only in solutions of salts of low concentration.

• Histones - are the main character of the protein in the form of nucleoproteins. Location are white blood cells and blood balls.
• Protamines - they do not contain sulfur. The basic properties are manifested to a great extent. The protein consists of nucleoproteins. They are rich in fish spermatozoa.
• Prolamins - are readily soluble in alcohol. They contain grains of cereals. Prolamin is represented by gliadin, the main constituent of gluten.
• Scleroproteins have the property of not dissolving. Contained in the outer cover of animal bodies, skeleton and connective tissues. Presented by collagen, keratin, fibroin, elastin.

What simple organic compounds are proteins? They consist of amino acids of different types, there are twenty of them in the protein.

What are the functions of proteins?

Organic compounds (proteins) perform a number of functions:

• Provide for exchange and regulatory processes.
• Perform the delivery of protein in the blood, which provides the necessary substances to all organs.
• Muscle fibers are formed.
• They are the basis of bone and connective tissues.
• Regulate the process of digestion, energy exchange.
• Control the actions of genes.
• Protect the body, strengthening immunity.

Carbohydrates

These are organic compounds of natural origin, charging the body with energy. They found widespread in nature. Their share in plants is seventy-eighty percent of the total mass of all dry substances, in animal organisms - only two. Carbohydrates include a carbonyl group and a small proportion of hydroxyl. These compounds are an integral part of tissues and cells in the body. What are the chemical compounds called carbohydrates? Carbohydrates include oxygen, hydrogen, carbon. Although the derivatives of the latter matter differ in their content of other elements, nitrogen, for example.

Carbohydrates are a product of photosynthesis. Without them, biosynthesis in plants is impossible, since they are the starting material for this process. Carbohydrates, being a class of organic compounds, have a wide variety. Their role is multifaceted.

Functions of carbohydrates

Organic compounds have the following functions:

• продукты окисления соединений (глюкоза, гликоген, крахмал) поступают в клетки, заряжая их энергией. Energy - products of oxidation of compounds (glucose, glycogen, starch) enter the cells, charging them with energy. Approximately sixty percent of the energy expended is compensated by carbohydrates, which supply it to blood cells. Energy enters the brain, improving its activity.
• The plastic function - the compounds are an integral part of many structures at the cellular level, they contain all the cells of the body: biological membranes, organelles of cells. With their help, enzymes, nucleoproteins and others are formed.
• Protective function - the mucus secreted by the glands serves to protect the internal walls of many organs from various undesirable effects: mechanical, chemical, bacterial. This is achieved due to the large content of carbohydrates in viscous secrets.
• Regulatory function - carbohydrates regulate peristalsis, as the use of fiber with its rough structure irritates the mucosa of the digestive tract.
• Specific function - carbohydrates are different. With the help of some of them antibodies are formed, specificity of blood groups is provided, nerve impulses are carried out.