Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The importance of Protein

Proteins (also known as polypeptides) are organic compounds made ofamino acids arranged in a linear chain and folded into a globular form. The amino acids in a polymer are joined together by the peptide bonds between thecarboxyl and amino groups of adjacent amino acid residues. The sequence of amino acids in a protein is defined by the sequence of a gene, which is encoded in the genetic code.[1] In general, the genetic code specifies 20 standard amino acids; however, in certain organisms the genetic code can include selenocysteine—and in certain archaeapyrrolysine. Shortly after or even during synthesis, the residues in a protein are often chemically modified by post-translational modification, which alters the physical and chemical properties, folding, stability, activity, and ultimately, the function of the proteins. Proteins can also work together to achieve a particular function, and they often associate to form stable complexes.[2]
Also, they make you buff...

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