Table of Contents
Explain Denaturation of Protein?; Classification of Proteins;
Denaturation of Protein
Denaturation of protein is a process in which the protein molecule is changed from its natural or native state to an unfolded or denatured state. The protein molecule may change in shape, size, or solubility. The denatured protein is usually less functional than the native protein.
There are three main classifications of proteins:
1. Structural proteins – These proteins are responsible for the structure of the cell. They include collagen, keratin, and elastin.
2. Enzymes – These proteins are responsible for the chemical reactions in the cell. They include digestive enzymes and metabolic enzymes.
3. Regulatory proteins – These proteins control the rate of chemical reactions in the cell. They include proteins that control gene expression and proteins that control the movement of ions across the cell membrane.
About Denaturation
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions in the body. Denaturation is the process of destroying the tertiary and quaternary structures of a protein, which destroys its enzymatic activity. Denaturation can be caused by physical or chemical means. Physical means include heat, radiation, and detergents. Chemical means include changes in pH, salt concentration, and the presence of organic solvents.
Conformation of Proteins in Interfaces
When proteins are in interfaces, they can adopt a variety of conformations that depend on the nature of the interface and the surrounding environment. In some cases, proteins can form ordered structures known as crystals, while in other cases they can form disordered structures known as amorphous aggregates. The conformations of proteins in interfaces can also be affected by the presence of other molecules in the environment, such as water molecules or ions.
Classification by Solubility
The solubility of a substance is the maximum amount of that substance that can dissolve in a given quantity of solvent. The classification of substances by solubility is one way to group them.
There are three main classifications of substances by solubility: insoluble, soluble, and supersaturated.
An insoluble substance is one that does not dissolve in a given solvent. Soluble substances dissolve in a given solvent to produce a saturated solution. A supersaturated solution is a solution that contains more of the soluble substance than the solvent can normally hold.
Classification by Biological Functions
There are six general categories of biological function:
1. Regulation of the internal environment
2. Movement
3. Feeding
4. Reproduction
5. Protection
6. Sensing
Function and Special Structure of Proteins
Proteins are the workhorse molecules of life. They are responsible for most of the chemical reactions that occur in cells, and they form the structural foundation of tissues. Proteins are made of smaller molecules called amino acids. The sequence of amino acids in a protein is determined by the sequence of codons in the gene that encodes it.
The special structure of proteins enables them to carry out their many functions. Proteins are composed of long chains of amino acids, and the sequence of these amino acids determines the protein’s unique three-dimensional structure. This structure is important for the protein’s function. For example, the hemoglobin molecule in red blood cells has a unique three-dimensional structure that allows it to bind to oxygen molecules.
Proteins also have special properties that enable them to carry out their many functions. These properties include the ability to bind to other molecules, to catalyze chemical reactions, and to form networks that form the structural foundation of tissues.
