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Proteins
are large bimolecules that occur in every living organism, and the machinery of life. The fingernail, hair, keratin of skin,
the fibroin of silk and spider web, and most enzymes that catalyze the thousands of biological reactions within cells are
all classified as proteins. Proteins have diverse functions performing all important tasks in organisms, such as catalysis
of biochemical reactions, transport of nutrients, recognition, and transmission of signals. Regardless of their function,
all proteins are formed by joining amino acids by peptide bonds linked together in a long chain. Proteins are amazing molecules:
they spark the chemical reaction that form the basis for life; transmit signals in the body; identify and kill foreign invaders;
form the engines that make us move; record visual images; and more. For every task in a living organism, there is a protein
designed to carry it out. This presentation will focus on how proteins are unique in our body, then structure, functions,
mechanism of action, and disease.
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