Now, unless you’ve been living under a rock your whole life, you should know what a protein is. These complex molecules are found in more or less all foods, with some higher in quantity than others, for example, red meat, chicken, eggs, and beans, all contain more protein than other foods, perhaps such as fatty or sugary alternatives.
However, today we’re not talking about protein in the form of food; we’re talking about what happens once it’s digested and active in the body, playing many critical roles.
This blog post will explain several functions of proteins, beginning with cell structure and function.
Cell structure and function
Firstly, once a protein is digested and broken down, the body turns this into amino acids. These acids are used to create and maintain cell structure and function, whether this is bone cells, skin cells, or myocytes (muscle cells).
To provide an easy-to-understand example, if a person works out in the gym lifting weights, the muscle cells will tear and become damaged. Protein then repairs and maintains proper cell structure, allowing the muscles to repair and rebuild stronger. This is how your muscles recover and also grow bigger.
Antibody proteins
Proteins are responsible for the creation of antibodies, allowing us to fight and become immune to certain diseases and viruses. Also, individuals can be tested for specific antibodies (such as Covid-19) to determine whether or not they have or have previously had a virus or disease.
Messenger proteins
Finally, (although there are many other functions), some amino acid chains are also responsible for sending signals and data. These proteins transport various hormones and transmit signals between cells, tissues, and organs. Oh, and on a much broader scale, amino acid chains also allow our bodies to move and function correctly.
The bottom line
Proteins play a large role in the body, with these amino acid chains playing key roles in cell structure and function, the creation of antibodies, the delivery of information between cells, and even larger roles such as movement.