The word "protein" is one of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language. It is pronounced /ˈproʊ.tiːn/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with stress on the first syllable. The letter combination "ei" often confuses people, who might spell it "protean" instead. However, the correct spelling is "protein" with an "i" in the second syllable. Proteins are essential macromolecules that perform a range of functions in living organisms, including building and repairing tissues and serving as enzymes and hormones.
Protein is a macromolecule that is composed of chains of amino acids. It is one of the essential nutrients required by living organisms, including animals, plants, and microorganisms, for growth, development, and maintenance of body tissues.
Proteins serve various functions in the body. They play a crucial role in the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs. They are responsible for building and repairing tissues, such as muscles, skin, and bones. Proteins are also involved in the formation of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies, which are vital for various biochemical processes and immune responses.
Proteins are made up of 20 different amino acids, which are linked together by peptide bonds. The unique sequence and arrangement of these amino acids determine the structure and function of each protein. Proteins can have complex three-dimensional structures, consisting of helices, sheets, and other intricate shapes, which are crucial for their specific roles.
Dietary sources of protein include foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds. These sources provide the essential amino acids required by the body, which cannot be produced in sufficient amounts by the body itself.
Protein deficiency can lead to various health problems, including muscle wasting, weakened immune system, and impaired growth and development. On the other hand, excessive protein intake can strain the kidneys and may contribute to other health issues. Therefore, it is important to maintain a balanced intake of protein in one's diet to support overall health and well-being.
One of a group of substances constituting the greater part of animal and vegetable tissues; they are formed chiefly by plants. They are of very complex constitution, all containing carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, and some containing in addition iron, phosphorus, or sulphur; chemically they are regarded as peptides (polypeptides) or combinations of aminoacids and their derivatives. They are colorless, odorless, in general tasteless, and of varying degrees of solubility; they are putrefiable and readily undergo chemical change, hydrolysis, under the influence of ferments and on boiling with dilute acids or alkalies.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "protein" has its roots in the Greek language. It comes from the Greek word "proteios", meaning "primary" or "of primary importance". This term was first used by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1838 to describe a class of compounds found in both plants and animals. The concept of proteins as essential components of living organisms was further developed by German chemist Gerhard Mulder in the mid-19th century. The term "protein" gained widespread use in the scientific community to refer to these important macromolecules involved in a variety of biological functions.