Definitions for protein
ˈproʊ tin, -ti ɪnpro·tein

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 2 votes

1. proteinnoun

   any of a large group of nitrogenous organic compounds that are essential constituents of living cells; consist of polymers of amino acids; essential in the diet of animals for growth and for repair of tissues; can be obtained from meat and eggs and milk and legumes

   "a diet high in protein"

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.3 / 4 votes

1. proteinnoun

   Any of numerous large, complex naturally-produced molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids, in which the amino acid groups are held together by peptide bonds.

2. proteinnoun

   One of three major classes of food or source of food energy (4 kcal/gram) abundant in animal-derived foods and some vegetables, such as legumes. see carbohydrate and fat for the other two major classes

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Protein

   Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, responding to stimuli, providing structure to cells and organisms, and transporting molecules from one location to another. Proteins differ from one another primarily in their sequence of amino acids, which is dictated by the nucleotide sequence of their genes, and which usually results in protein folding into a specific 3D structure that determines its activity. A linear chain of amino acid residues is called a polypeptide. A protein contains at least one long polypeptide. Short polypeptides, containing less than 20–30 residues, are rarely considered to be proteins and are commonly called peptides. The individual amino acid residues are bonded together by peptide bonds and adjacent amino acid residues. The sequence of amino acid residues in a protein is defined by the sequence of a gene, which is encoded in the genetic code. In general, the genetic code specifies 20 standard amino acids; but in certain organisms the genetic code can include selenocysteine and—in certain archaea—pyrrolysine. Shortly after or even during synthesis, the residues in a protein are often chemically modified by post-translational modification, which alters the physical and chemical properties, folding, stability, activity, and ultimately, the function of the proteins. Some proteins have non-peptide groups attached, which can be called prosthetic groups or cofactors. Proteins can also work together to achieve a particular function, and they often associate to form stable protein complexes. Once formed, proteins only exist for a certain period and are then degraded and recycled by the cell's machinery through the process of protein turnover. A protein's lifespan is measured in terms of its half-life and covers a wide range. They can exist for minutes or years with an average lifespan of 1–2 days in mammalian cells. Abnormal or misfolded proteins are degraded more rapidly either due to being targeted for destruction or due to being unstable. Like other biological macromolecules such as polysaccharides and nucleic acids, proteins are essential parts of organisms and participate in virtually every process within cells. Many proteins are enzymes that catalyse biochemical reactions and are vital to metabolism. Proteins also have structural or mechanical functions, such as actin and myosin in muscle and the proteins in the cytoskeleton, which form a system of scaffolding that maintains cell shape. Other proteins are important in cell signaling, immune responses, cell adhesion, and the cell cycle. In animals, proteins are needed in the diet to provide the essential amino acids that cannot be synthesized. Digestion breaks the proteins down for metabolic use. Proteins may be purified from other cellular components using a variety of techniques such as ultracentrifugation, precipitation, electrophoresis, and chromatography; the advent of genetic engineering has made possible a number of methods to facilitate purification. Methods commonly used to study protein structure and function include immunohistochemistry, site-directed mutagenesis, X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. protein

   Protein is a complex organic compound that plays crucial roles in the body. It is composed of one or more chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Proteins are essential for the growth, development, and repair of tissues, organs, and cells in the body. They also function as enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and can be used for energy. The structure and function of each protein is determined by the specific sequence of amino acids it contains.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Proteinnoun

   a body now known as alkali albumin, but originally considered to be the basis of all albuminous substances, whence its name

2. Etymology: [Gr. prw^tos first: cf. prwtei^on the first place.]

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Protein

   Proteins are large biological molecules consisting of one or more chains of amino acids. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within living organisms, including catalyzing metabolic reactions, replicating DNA, responding to stimuli, and transporting molecules from one location to another. Proteins differ from one another primarily in their sequence of amino acids, which is dictated by the nucleotide sequence of their genes, and which usually results in folding of the protein into a specific three-dimensional structure that determines its activity. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of adjacent amino acid residues. The sequence of amino acids in a protein is defined by the sequence of a gene, which is encoded in the genetic code. In general, the genetic code specifies 20 standard amino acids; however, in certain organisms the genetic code can include selenocysteine and—in certain archaea—pyrrolysine. Shortly after or even during synthesis, the residues in a protein are often chemically modified by posttranslational modification, which alters the physical and chemical properties, folding, stability, activity, and ultimately, the function of the proteins. Sometimes proteins have non-peptide groups attached, which can be called prosthetic groups or cofactors. Proteins can also work together to achieve a particular function, and they often associate to form stable protein complexes.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Protein

   prō′tē-in, n. the first element in any compound: formerly the supposed common radical of the group of bodies which form the most essential articles of food, albumen, fibrine, &c.—n. Prō′tēid, a body containing protein: one of several bodies which go to make up the soft tissues of animals and vegetables. [Gr. prōtos, first, suffix -in.]

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. protein

   A type of matter, molecule or form of food.

   Proteins differ from one another primarily in their sequence of amino acids, which is created by the nucleotide sequence of their genes.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on September 9, 2015  

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. protein

   Song lyrics by protein -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by protein on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Macromolecule

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'protein' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #3371

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'protein' in Nouns Frequency: #1090

Anagrams for protein »

1. interop

2. pointer

3. pterion

4. repoint

5. tropein

6. tropine

How to pronounce protein?

1. Alex

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   David

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   Mark

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   Daniel

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   Libby

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   Mia

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   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

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   Neerja

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   Zira

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   Oliver

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How to say protein in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of protein in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of protein in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of protein in a Sentence

1. Mark Gooley:

   After several minutes of utterly dull conversation I began to think of her not as a woman but as a human, then not as a human but as an animal, then not as an animal but as a source of high-grade protein.

2. Randi Hagerman:

   The lack of the Fragile X protein FMRP actually deregulates a number of systems in the brain, when FMRP is missing, many other genes produce way too much protein from their specific genes, and so that actually interferes with normal development.

3. Lisa Drayer:

   Gradually cut back [on sugar] and consume more protein and fiber-rich foods, it can actually help curb sugar cravings as well. When we consume protein and fiber, it slows the rise in blood sugar if we consume it with a sugar-containing food. It can help satisfy us and help us reduce our sugar intake as well.

4. Ripley Ballou:

   Viruses are pretty simple organisms and they all have antigens on their surface that are necessary to get them inside cells, everybody knows what the target for MERS is, it is the core spike protein, which is one of things that targets the cell receptor and allows it to get in. It's a single protein that can be used to induce an immune response.

5. Guindon cartoon caption:

   Whatever their other contributions to our society, lawyers could be an important source of protein.

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