In this article we’ll answer questions like:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Where are proteins made?<\/li>\n
- Why are there so many of them?<\/li>\n
- And, why are they so important?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Uncover the battle raging within. Read the BioWars comic book for free!<\/a><\/p>\n
What Are Proteins?<\/h2>\n
Proteins are large, complex molecules present in every living organism.<\/p>\n
The name \u201cprotein\u201d comes from the Greek \u201cpr\u014dteios,\u201d which means \u201cholding the first place\u201d or \u201cprimary.\u201d The name makes perfect sense when you know that, without proteins, life wouldn\u2019t be possible!<\/p>\n
Although proteins make up all organisms, they differ from one species to another. For example, a horse<\/a> and a cat<\/a> don\u2019t have the same proteins.<\/p>\n
Plus, they are organ-specific<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
This means that the proteins in your brain aren\u2019t the same as the proteins in your thigh muscle.<\/p>\n
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What Are Proteins Made Of?<\/h2>\n
Proteins are made of amino acids<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Amino acids are connected by peptide bonds that form between two amino acids.<\/strong><\/p>\n
What Are Amino Acids?<\/h3>\n
Amino acids are molecules that serve as the building blocks of proteins.<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"Stock](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/where-are-proteins-made-amino-acid.jpg\")
Amino acids are tiny but mighty elements in your body!\u200b<\/p><\/div>\n
They contain mainly oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen \u2014 if you\u2019re into chemistry.<\/p>\n
Amino acids play several big roles in your body<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Aside from building proteins, they also build neurotransmitters and hormones as well as help hormone production and their release into your bloodstream.<\/strong><\/p>\n
To build proteins, your body needs about 20<\/a> amino acids, nine<\/strong> of which are considered essential<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Your body makes the essential amino acids but, interestingly, it can\u2019t make the non-essential amino acids on its own. You need to supply these through your diet. So, watch what you eat!<\/p>\n
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Where Are Proteins Made In A Cell?<\/h2>\n
Proteins are made inside ribosomes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Ribosomes are organelles in eukaryotic cells, i.e. cells that have a nucleus<\/a> surrounded by a membrane.<\/p>\n
Do you remember what organelles are?<\/p>\n
Organelles are the tiny organs within your cells in charge of many important tasks.<\/p>\n
For example, your nucleus, which is an organelle, stores your DNA<\/a> and allows for DNA\u2019s transcription into RNA<\/strong>. That process is super important because your body needs RNA to synthesize proteins!<\/strong> But we\u2019ll dig into that in a sec!<\/p>\n
Now, back to ribosomes.<\/p>\n
Ribosomes are placed in the cytoplasm of your cells.<\/p>\n
They are in charge of arranging amino acids into a specific order commanded by the messenger RNA<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
When many amino acids are joined together, they form a polypeptide chain<\/strong>. And one or more polypeptide chains joined with peptide bonds make a protein!<\/strong><\/p>\n
Ribosomes are like tiny factories that work<\/strong> 24\/7<\/strong>. Their job is never-ending because every cell in your body needs proteins!<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/where-are-proteins-made-ribosome.jpg\")
Check out what a ribosome looks like!\u200b<\/p><\/div>\n
Since ribosomes are in charge of the protein synthesis, they\u2019re also targeted by many antibiotics and other drugs.<\/p>\n
For instance, when someone catches a bacterial infection like an ear infection for example, they often get antibiotics to block bacterial ribosomes from producing proteins. Once the protein synthesis gets blocked, there\u2019s no way bacteria can survive, so they eventually die, and that\u2019s how antibiotics get rid of bacterial infections.<\/p>\n
How Does Proteins Synthesis Occur?<\/h2>\n
The production of proteins happens in two stages<\/strong>:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Transcription<\/li>\n
- Translation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s break them down:<\/p>\n
1. Transcription<\/h3>\n
Transcription is the process during which your DNA makes a molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA).<\/strong><\/p>\n
Your DNA stores your genetic information, which needs to stay intact. So, your DNA stays protected inside your nucleus at all times.<\/p>\n
To pass on instructions for protein synthesis to ribosomes, it needs to give them to someone else, and that someone is mRNA!<\/p>\n
Messenger RNA carries the copy of the information your DNA holds and it carries it to the cytoplasm.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s where the process of translation begins.<\/p>\n
2. Translation<\/h3>\n
Translation is the process of translating mRNA\u2019s instructions into proteins and ribosomal RNA<\/strong>, also known as rRNA<\/strong> is in charge of translation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Then, transfer RNA (tRNA)<\/strong>, which is also located in cytoplasm, delivers amino acids to ribosomes.<\/p>\n
Depending on the instructions passed on by the DNA, amino acids are arranged in a particular manner, and then joined by peptide bonds, forming proteins!<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"Stock](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/where-are-proteins-made-protein-synthesis.jpg\")
Check out ribosomes at work building proteins!<\/p><\/div>\n
When translation ends, that doesn\u2019t mean the process of protein synthesis is over.<\/p>\n
Proteins then need to fold into a particular 3D structure<\/strong> that depends on their function, and their function is determined by the specific order of amino acids instructed by your DNA<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
7 Types Of Proteins<\/h2>\n
Your body makes 7 types of proteins:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Antibodies<\/li>\n
- Enzymes<\/li>\n
- Contractile proteins<\/li>\n
- Hormonal proteins<\/li>\n
- Structural proteins<\/li>\n
- Transport proteins<\/li>\n
- Storage proteins<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/h3>\n
1. Antibodies<\/h3>\n
Antibodies<\/a> are proteins made by your immune system<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
They are secreted by your B-Cells<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Antibodies are of important for your health because they attack pathogens, such as viruses<\/a>, bacteria<\/a>, parasites and fungi.<\/p>\n
2. Enzymes<\/h3>\n
Enzymes<\/a> are cell proteins that perform a lot of important functions in your body.<\/p>\n
They control some crucial chemical reactions<\/strong> that:<\/p>\n
- \n
- build your bones<\/li>\n
- help heal your wounds<\/li>\n
- impact your heart rate<\/li>\n
- affect your breathing and thinking<\/li>\n
- and develop your red blood cells<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If needed, they can speed these reactions up, to ensure you stay healthy and well.<\/p>\n
3. Contractile Proteins<\/h3>\n
Contractile proteins enable your cytoskeletal, cardiac and skeletal muscles to contract<\/strong>, allowing you to breathe, move your eyes, and perform pretty much any sort of movement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re also present inside the cytoplasm of your cells, allowing for cell movement.<\/p>\n
![\"Stock](\"https:\/\/2023.biowars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/where-are-proteins-made-keratin.jpg\")