Protein Functions

Storage Proteins

Stockpile building components that cells can use to make other proteins

Transport Proteins

Carry molecules from place to place ex: Hemoglobin is the transport protein that carries oxygen in the blood

Contractile Proteins

Can move parts of a cell. In muscles used to move whole animals

Enzyme

A protein that catalyzes chemical reactions,metabolism, DNA replication. Changes the rate of a chemical reaction without itself being changed into a different molecule in the process. Promotes and regulates virtually all chemical reactions in cells

Defensive Proteins

Antibodies - bind to invaders (viruses) and mark the foreign objects for destruction

Gene Regulatory Proteins

Bind to DNA in particular locations and control whether or not certain genes will be read. This allows cells to become specialized for different functions and respond to changes in their surroundings.

Sensory Proteins

Detect environmental changes such as light, and respond by emitting or producing signals that call for a response

Structural Proteins

Give cells shape, size, strength, bind cells together to make tissues and create the cytoskeleton. Serve as tracks along which cell parts can move.

Signal Proteins

Hormonal proteins that help coordinate an organisms activities by acting as signals between cells

Protein

Used to build and repair tissues. Composed of amino acids and connected by peptide bonds. Function depends on protein shape.