Functions of proteins

Question 1

Hormones

Answer 1

The chemical messengers that help control the body (e.g. insulin lowers the concentration of glucose in the blood)

Question 2

Antibodies

Answer 2

Involved in resistance to disease (immunity). These complex proteins can attach to foreign molecules and cells in the body and neutralise, inhibit or destroy them

Question 3

Haemoglobin

Answer 3

A protein found in red blood cells which enables them to transport oxygen

Question 4

contractile proteins

Answer 4

actin and myosin allow skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and smooth muscle to contract and thereby produce movement

Question 5

structural proteins

Answer 5

form many components of cells, tissues and the body e.g. hair and nails consist mainly of the protein keratin. Other proteins include collagen (for strength) and elastin (for elasticity)

Question 6

enzymes

Answer 6

proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body and within cells