Long chains of amino acids that determine virtually everything about a cell, including cell structure and function, cell material regulation, and cell products are called proteins.
Amino acids are organic molecules composed of an amino functional group (-NH2) at one end and a carboxyl functional group (-COOH) at the other end.
To form proteins, amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds, that is, the union of the end with the amino functional group of one amino acid, with the end that contains the carboxyl functional group of another.
Thus, amino acids are linked in different combinations and as many times as necessary, until each specific protein is formed.
Proteins determine the shape and structure of cells and direct almost all vital processes, their functions are specific to each of them and allow cells to maintain their integrity.
All proteins perform their function in the same way: by selective binding to molecules.
Some of their functions are:
- They are part of cell membranes and act as receptors or facilitate the transport of substances.
- They act as biocatalysts for the chemical reactions of cellular metabolism.
- Some proteins regulate the expression of certain genes and others regulate cell division (such as cyclin).
Therefore, we can conclude that long chains of amino acids that determine virtually everything about a cell, including cell structure and function, cell material regulation, and cell products are called proteins.
Learn more here: https://brainly.com/question/22571730
