Proteins - The Constituent Of Life | Cell | Amino Acids - The Basics Of Biology

We are made up of cells. These structures are the basic units that perform tasks to keep us alive. The cell performs tasks given by DNA. And these structures, the cell and the nucleus are made up of Protein chains.

The cells are just proteins and almost every part in humans are made up of dead protein combined together. These proteins are made up of small single units coming together called Amino Acids and Proteins are called Polypeptides (One or more Amino Acid Chains). Now these Proteins give the command to the cells to perform various tasks.

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How does this communication happen?

First, there are 20 Amino Acids and if we put these acids in a specific manner we get a Protein and if we combine many Proteins together we get a Pathway. These Pathways are just Protein combinations that are the commands and functions of a cell.

But this is a very complex process and an average Protein requires 370-390 of these Amino Acids. And the longest Protein, Titin has 27,000-35,000 Amino Acids.

Now if a cells stops producing these Proteins, the cell dies :(

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If this is so complicated, then how do the cells make the proteins which controls and performs the functions in the cell?

There are more than a million combinations that the human body can make. But some combinations are useless and here the DNA comes to the play. The DNA instructs the Cells to make the required Amino Acid combinations. That's why the cells perform the tasks encoded or given by the DNA.

Now the genetic code has a gene that contains what kinds of proteins should be made, how amino acids combine with one another to form a required protein, how much protein is required, when should a given protein be made, how does the protein help us and contains the information to make them. With this instructions the cell makes and produces the Proteins.

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But how do these Amino Acids combine to form a Protein?

~Physics Time~

We know that elementary particles combine to form atoms and these atoms form amino acids. And each elementary particle has a slightly different charge. So each Amino Acid also has a slightly different charge from one another.

Due to this reason the amino acids combine like strings and fold inwards on itself and form a 3 Dimensional Structure. Due to the inward folding of amino acids, this structure so formed becomes complicated. And finally we have a Protein that we needed.

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How do Proteins combine to perform tasks?

Now we know that we have 3 Dimensional Protein structure. Each protein has a different charge and shape. Now, like blocks these proteins combine according to their charge and shape.

And, we have a new protein. A new protein can perform a new task too. Similarly some proteins repel.

Now Proteins can combine, dismantle, convey message etc. This is how they perform tasks by conveying messages and creating a new protein to do the job. Together these proteins form pathways to perform tasks and without a specific task these proteins are useless. And without them tasks cannot be done. That's why Proteins are the constituent of life. Proteins make life possible. From a single Amino Acid to a Protein to a Pathway to a Cell to a Tissue to a Organ to a Organ system we finally have a Organisms.

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So, we are small but we are not simple.

~Thank You~