Molecular & Cell Biology For Dummies
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Proteins are essential building blocks for all living systems, which helps explain why the word is derived from the Greek term proteios, meaning “holding first place.” Cells use proteins to perform a variety of functions, including providing structural support and catalyzing reactions.

Cells synthesize proteins through a systematic procedure that begins in the nucleus when the gene code for a certain protein is transcribed from the cell’s DNA into messenger RNA, or mRNA. The mRNA moves through nuclear pores to the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), where ribosomes translate the message one codon of three nucleotides, or base pairs, at a time.

The ribosome uses transfer RNA, or tRNA, to fetch each required amino acid and then link them together through peptide bonds, also known as amide bonds, to form proteins.

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Don’t let the labels confuse you. Proteins are chains of amino acids (usually very long chains of at least 100 acids). Enzymes, used to catalyze reactions, also are chains of amino acids and therefore also are categorized as proteins. Polypeptides, or simply peptides, are shorter chains of amino acids used to bond larger protein molecules, but they also can be regarded as proteins.

Both antibodies and hormones also are proteins, along with almost everything else in the body — hair, muscle, cartilage, and so on. Even the four basic blood types — A, B, AB, and O — are differentiated by the proteins (antigens) found in each.

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