Final answer:
Proteins are made up of amino acids and carry out numerous essential functions such as cellular signaling, enzyme activity, transport, muscle contractions, immune response, and nutrient storage. The Central Dogma describes the process of protein synthesis, with DNA providing the instructions for protein creation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Overview of Protein Functions
Proteins are fundamental components essential for the functioning and structure of all living cells. They are composed of building blocks called amino acids and are responsible for an array of biological tasks. Proteins perform a wide variety of functions within organisms, including cellular signaling, chemical reaction catalysis as enzymes, and transport of molecules such as oxygen in the case of hemoglobin. They can also be contractile, participating in muscle contractions through proteins like myosin and actin. Moreover, proteins are vital for the immune response, with antibodies being proteins that identify and help to eliminate pathogens. In addition, proteins are involved in nutrient storage, such as casein in milk or ferritin for iron storage in the spleen and liver.
The Central Dogma of Biology outlines the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to proteins, stating that DNA contains instructions for making proteins, which in turn determine the structure and function of cells.