Protein

Protein is a macronutrient that is essential to building

muscle mass. It is commonly found in animal products,
and plant products as well such as nuts and legumes.
Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many
critical roles in the body. They do most of the work in
cells and are required for the structure, function, and
regulation of the body’s tissues and organs.
The importance of proteins was
recognized by chemists in the
early 19th century, including
Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob
Berzelius, who coined the term
protein in 1838. Protein is a
word derived from the Greek
“prōteios”, which means
“primary” or “first place”.
Amino acids

Amino acids are the monomers that make up proteins. Specifically, a

protein is made up of one or more linear chains of amino acids, each of
which is called a polypeptide. There are 20 types of amino acids
commonly found in proteins.
Peptide bonds
Each protein in your cells consists of one
or more polypeptide chains. Each of
these polypeptide chains is made up of
amino acids, linked together in a specific
order.
A polypeptide is kind of like a long word
that is "spelled out" in amino acid letters.
The chemical properties and order of the
amino acids are key in determining the
structure and function of the
polypeptide.
A protein can be identified based on each level of its structure.
Every protein at least contains a primary, secondary, and tertiary
structure. Only some proteins have a quaternary structure as well.
Primary Structure

Primary structure of protein is the hierarchy’s

basic level, and is the particular linear sequence of
amino acids comprising one polypeptide chain.

Secondary structure
refers to the local folding patterns within a protein
chain. The two most common types of secondary
structure are alpha helices and beta sheets.
Alpha helices are coiled structures, while beta
sheets consist of extended strands.
These structures are stabilized by hydrogen bonds
between the peptide backbone.
Tertiary Structure

the long chain of amino acids folds and twists

to form a 3D shape, and this shape is essential
for the protein to carry out its specific function
in your body.

Quarternary Structure

the arrangement and interaction of multiple

protein subunits.
Classification of proteins:
on the basis of structure,
composition and function
Based on structure
Fibrous protein:

These proteins have long, thread-like structures.

They often provide structural support and stability, such as
collagen in connective tissues and keratin in hair and nails.

Functions: Perform the structural function in the cells

Example: Collagen, Myosin, Silk, Keratin,elastin
Globular protein:

These proteins have a compact, spherical shape. Globular

proteins have a round or globular shape.
They are typically involved in functions like enzymes
(catalyzing chemical reactions), transport (e.g., hemoglobin
transporting oxygen), and immune responses (e.g.,
antibodies).
Function: Form enzymes, transport, antibodies, hormones.
Structural support,
Ex: Insulin, DNA Polymerase and RNA Polymerase
Intermediate protein:

Their structure is intermediate to linear and globular structures.

They are short and more or less linear shaped proteins.
Unlike fibrous proteins, they are soluble in water.

Function: Blood clotting proteins

Ex: Fibronogen
fibrin forms a mesh-like structure to stop bleeding by trapping
blood cells.
Based on composition
Proteins can be classified as:
Simple proteins.
On hydrolysis they yield only the amino acids and occasional small
carbohydrate compounds.
Ex:
albumins
globulins
glutelins
albuminoids
histones
protamines.
Proteins can be classified as:

Conjugated proteins.
These are simple proteins combined with some non-protein
material in the body.
Ex:
nucleoproteins,
glycoproteins
phosphoproteins
haemoglobins
lecithoproteins.
Proteins can be classified as:

Derived proteins
These are proteins derived
from simple or conjugated proteins by physical or chemical means.
Ex:
denatured
proteins
peptides.
Classification of protein on the basis of
biological functions:
1. Catalytic protein:
They catalyze biochemical reaction in cells. Eg. Enzymes and co-
enzymes

2. Structural protein;

They make various structural component of living beings.

Eg. Collagen make bone, Elastin make ligamnets and keratin make
hair and nails

3. Nutrient protein:

They have nutritional value and provide nutrition when

consumed.
4. Regulatory protein:
They regulate metabolic and cellular activities in cell and tissue.
Eg. Hormones

5. Defense protein:
They provide defensive mechanism against pathogens.
Eg. Antibodies, complement proteins

6. Transport protein:
They transport nutrients and other molecules from one organ to
other.
Eg. Haemoglobin
7. Storage protein:
They stores various molecules and ions in cells.
Eg. Ferritin store Iron

8. Contractile or mobile protein:

They help in movement and locomotion of various body parts.
Eg. Actin, myosin, tubulin etc.

9. Toxic protein:
They are toxic and can damage tissues.
Eg. Snake venom, bacterial exotoxins etc
Protein Sources

In the following section proteins from both vegetable and

animal sources, including whey, casein, and soy will be
explored. Determining the effectiveness of a protein is
accomplished by determining its quality and digestibility.
Quality refers to the availability of amino acids that it supplies,
and digestibility considers how the protein is best utilized.
Typically, all dietary animal protein sources are considered to
be complete proteins. That is, a protein that contains all of the
essential amino acids.
Protein Sources
According to the Dietary Guidelines, a healthful eating pattern
includes a variety of
foods containing protein. Both animal and plant foods can be
excellent sources of protein.
seafood
lean meats and poultry
eggs
legumes, which include beans and peas
nuts
seeds
soy products
Dairy products
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LACK PROTEINS
•When you don’t consume enough nutrients, your body
becomes malnourished. One type of malnourishment is
protein-energy undernutrition. You have this if your body
has a severe calorie or protein deficiency
Two main types of this undernutrition are marasmus and kwashiorkor

1. Kwashiorkor, also known as “edematous malnutrition” because of its

association with edema (fluid retention), is a nutritional disorder most
often seen in regions experiencing famine. It is a form of malnutrition
caused by a lack of protein in the diet.

2.Marasmus occurs more often in young children and babies. It leads

to dehydration and weight loss. Starvation is a form of this disorder.
But
Marasmus symptoms Kwashiorkor symptoms
an inability to grow or gain
weight loss
weight
edema, or swelling of the
dehydration
hands and feet
stomach shrinkage stomach bulging

diarrhea
Prevention

As for the prevention of childhood malnutrition, there needs to be

public health changes such as improving agriculture and improving
access to healthcare to effectively reduce the rates of malnutrition in
children. By educating individuals of childbearing age on proper
nutrition and health during and after pregnancy, they can provide their
children with the appropriate nutrients from a young age. By ensuring
they are equipped with the proper education and resources, caretakers
and infants are in better health, ultimately preventing childhood
malnutrition.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR EXCESS PROTEIN

Overconsumption may lead to an increased risk of certain health

complications, such as dehydration, constipation and nutritional
deficiencies to obesity, heart and kidney diseases and reduced immune
function. Extra protein intake also can lead to elevated blood lipids and
heart disease because many high-protein foods you eat are high in
total and saturated fat. Extra protein intake, which can tax the kidneys,
poses an additional risk to people predisposed to kidney disease
DISEASES CAUSED BY
PROTEIN AGGREGATION

1)Alzheimer's disease

Alois Alzheimer, German psychiatrist and neuronatomist (1907)

•Aggregates os a protein called amyloid-beta and mass of tangles of
different protein called Tau
2)Parkinson’s disease
James Parkinson, English physician (1817)
•The brain of people with Parkinson disease contain abnormal clumps
of protein called Lewy bodies. A clumps that are made up of Protein
alpha-synuclein
•Physical symptoms including tremors, slow movement, stiffness,
changes in posture, and difficulties with balance.
3)Huntington’s disease
George Huntington, M.D. (1800s)
•Caused by a mutation in the gene that
codes for a protein called huntingtin.