Explainer: What are proteins?

Author: Bryn Nelson / Source: Science News for Students

A photo of an array of protein rich foods including red meat, fish, nuts, beans, eggs, chickpeas, avacado, spinach and broccoli — Many foods, such as the ones shown here, are rich in protein. In the body, proteins act as biochemical machines that do the work of cells.

DNA supplies nearly each cell of the body with an instruction book on how to make tiny chemical machines.

Known as proteins, these itty bitty widgets do all the work needed to help a cell survive. Some proteins carry in crucial supplies. Others take out the trash. Some send important messages. Some even fight off invaders.

Studying proteins gives scientists a better idea of how cells are supposed to work and what happens when they malfunction.

Cells build proteins by piecing together basic chemical building blocks known as amino (Ah-MEE-no) acids. Small strings of up to 100 amino acids are known as peptides. They can join forces to become a complete protein. But peptides can also function on their own, often working as messengers to carry signals throughout the…

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