Protein is a class of substances that every body needs to live. The fact is that its molecules perform a huge number of the most diverse functions, without which the existence of any living subjects would be impossible.
What are proteins made of?
Each such substance includes a sufficiently large number of smaller components called amino acids. In total, a little more than 40 are discovered. At the same time, only 20 of them can be found in the human body.
Amino acids can be combined in almost any order. A change in position of at least 1 of them entails a complete metamorphosis of those properties that the protein will possess. As a result, today there is a great variety of all kinds of proteins.
The functions of protein molecules
At the moment, it has been established that proteins play an exceptional role for all living things. The fact is that protein is a biologically active substance that can affect each of the organs. Naturally, different proteins are responsible for different parts of the body.
If we talk about the functions of proteins, then first of all it is necessary to note the fact that they represent the most active substances of the body - enzymes and hormones. They regulate human metabolism at each of its levels. The following proteins can serve as excellent examples: pepsin, chymotrypsin, somatotropin, vasopressin, insulin, prolactin, and others.
In addition, it should be noted that muscle fibers are composed of proteins. Due to the special properties of actin and myosin, humans, as well as all animals, are able to move around. The fact is that they can contract and relax. As a result, being controlled by the central nervous system, muscle fibers provide movement. As a result, protein is a substance that allows a person and other living things to move around.
Also, in certain cases, proteins can be used as an energy source. However, this only happens when an insufficient amount of carbohydrates and fats enter the body. So, with confidence we can say that proteins are substances that, although they can be used as energy materials, but they are not intended for this.
Protein content in various foods
To ensure life, a person needs to receive about 100 g of protein per day. It is believed that most proteins can be obtained from meat. In fact, everything is somewhat different. Most of the proteins are in the caviar of chum and sturgeon. In addition, a lot of proteins are found in soy, dried white mushrooms, beans, lentils and peas.
Despite all this, for humans, protein is the substance that is obtained primarily from meat, poultry, and also fish. Foods such as tuna, beef, chicken, pork, rabbit, turkey, and ham are especially rich in proteins.
An important source of protein is Swiss and Dutch cheese. Other products made from milk have a fairly low protein content.
Many are interested in how much protein is in the eggs. It is now known that in their dry residue is a large amount of protein. As for ordinary eggs, there is much less protein than in meat.