Proteins are one of the four fundamental biological molecules. They play most of the critical roles in cells and are required for the structure, functioning, maintenance, and regulation of body systems. Proteins are the main structural components of the cell. All proteins contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, while some also contain phosphorus and sulphur. A few proteins have iron, iodine, and magnesium incorporated into the molecule.
Definition
Proteins: Chemically, proteins can be defined as polymers of amino acids or polypeptide chains. A protein may consist of a single polypeptide or more than one polypeptide.
In simple words: Proteins are large molecules made of amino acids joined together in a chain.
Core Concept
Proteins are the main structural components of the cell.
All proteins contain C, H, O, N.
Some also contain P, S.
A few proteins have Fe, I, Mg incorporated into the molecule.
Proteins are polymers of amino acids.
A protein may consist of a single polypeptide or more than one polypeptide.
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