AMINO ACIDS AND PROTEINS

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. All amino acids contain a carboxylic group and an amino group, both linked to single carbon atom called the 2 carbon. Although, there can many different kinds of amino acids, nearly 100, only 20 of them are commonly found in proteins in all classes of organisms ranging from bacteria to higher plants and animals. Proteins are polymers of 20 different amino acids. The primary responsibility of protein is to execute the tasks directed by the gene information. The protein serve as structural components of cells and tissues, act in the transport and storage of molecules (e. g. the transport of oxygen by haemoglobin ), transmit signals within and between cells ( e.g. harmones), provides defence against invading pathogens (e.g. immunoglobulin) and act as enzymes (e.g. pepsin, rennin).