Protein - Types and Functions
- enzymes - act as catalysts in biochemical reactions, meaning that they speed the reactions up
- hormones - are long-distance chemical signals released by endocrine cells
|
Role |
Examples |
Functions |
|---|---|---|
|
digestive enzyme |
amylase, lipase, pepsin |
break down nutrients in food into small pieces that can be readily absorbed |
|
transport |
carry substances throughout the body in blood or lymph | |
|
structure |
actin, tubulin, keratin |
build different structures, like the cytoskeleton |
|
hormone signaling |
insulin, glucagon |
coordinate the activity of different body systems |
|
defense |
antibodies |
protect the body from foreign pathogens |
|
contraction |
myosin |
carry out muscle contraction |
|
storage |
legume storage proteins, egg white (albumin) |
provide food for the early development of the embryo or the seedling |