Protein

A schematic view of a protein's structure.

Varieties of meat, a common source of proteins.

Proteins are relatively large molecules that play diverse, significant parts in the human body. They are one of the three main macronutrients, the other two being fat and carbohydrates. Proteins serve as biological building blocks, primarily in muscles, they form enzymes which act as catalysts for a plethora of chemical processes, they constitute several hormones, they act as transport molecules, they form certain antibodies and take part in the immune system and are responsible for the cell adhesion molecules. They may also serve as fuel for the body, as the consumption of proteine produces energy.

Proteins are a vital part of any living organism.

In culture

The american chemist Linus Pauling was awarded the Nobel prize in chemistry in 1954 for his studies of the structure of proteins.