PROTEINS AND AMINO ACIDS

Proteins are polymers of amino acids, and are the major active unit of cells, with a wide range of functions. A protein’s shape and function is determined by the order of its amino acid side chains, the chemical properties of those side chains, and the way they interact with water.

In a cell, enzymes facilitate biochemical reactions, acting as biological catalysts. In fact, life as we know it would not be possible without enzymes to help speed up biological reactions. The chemical activity of enzymes can be controlled by activation or inhibition. Other types of Non-enzymatic proteins include structural proteins, transport proteins, ion channels, antibodies, and many more.