Proteins Essay ⋆ Environment Essay Examples ⋆ EssayEmpire

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Proteins are complex organic compounds consisting mainly of amino acids joined together by peptide bonds in long chains. These are comparatively large and complicated molecules and their full functions have not been completely established. Proteins are essential to the central chemical processes of life and are of great nutritional value. They are specific to different species and also vary according to different organs and locations within a particular living creature. The functions of proteins range from structural support, forming part of the immune response, and as the catalysis of chemical reactions. One of the most important is hemoglobin, which helps the blood to carry oxygen throughout the body. Proteins were first identified in the 19th century and their name derives from the Greek for “of the first place.”

The configuration of different amino acids and their ordering determine the nature and structure of individual proteins. Hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic and electrostatic forces, and van der Waals forces are all involved in the structuring of protein molecules. Some molecules consist of two or more peptide chains and others are covalently conjugated with carbohydrate molecules. These latter are known as glycoproteins. Varieties of glycoproteins are influential in determining the blood type that people have. The lack of proteins leads to a variety of diseases. An example is sickle cell anemia, which results from the substitution of one protein for another very similar one in the hemoglobin.

Proteins are converted into energy by creatures through chemical decomposition (digestion) and are used in cell repair and growth, and energy. Historically, mankind has used animals as an important source of protein, although some nonanimal proteins supplement this, depending on the availability of alternative foods and cultural factors. Dairy products, cereals, and legumes are important nonanimal sources of protein. However, while animal proteins are complete in that they contain all necessary amino acids for human sustenance, nonanimal proteins are incomplete and must be eaten in suitable combination. For good health, approximately one gram of protein should be eaten per one kilogram of weight per day. The Kjeldahl method is used to identify the exact protein value of different types of food. A diet balancing different types of nutrient and chemical purposes is recommended.

In recent years, researchers have taken the first steps to creating artificial proteins through chemical methods, using computer-aided design techniques to visualize the structure. Such artificial proteins may be used, it is hoped, for specific medical techniques that are not currently possible. They also open up the possibility of the enhancement of organic material, notably human beings. Such augmentation raises a number of ethical concerns. Growing proteins in laboratory conditions would also represent a new source of food, which would have particular applications in environments in which natural animal and nonanimal proteins would not flourish, such as in space.

Bibliography:

M. Barbano, J.M. Lynch, and J.R. Fleming, “Direct and Indirect Determination of True Protein Content of Milk by Kjeldahl Analysis: Collaborative Study,” Journal of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (v.74, 1991);
Oliver Gresch and Hans-Guenter Bruenker, “Efficient Small-Scale Production of Proteins,” Biopharm International (February, 2006);
David Whitford, Proteins: Structure and Functions (John Wiley & Sons, 2005).