Learning the difference between protein and peptide will help you get the most of their applications to your health. Both of them can help pave your path to healing.
There is more information coming up about the differences between peptide and protein, so stay tuned for the second part of this post.
What is a peptide?
Found in the body's every cell and tissue, a peptide is a vital cellular component that performs a wide array of functions. It is commonly made of two or more amino acids, which are described as the main building blocks of peptides as well as proteins.
There are 20 known kinds of amino acids that perform different roles in our body systems. They help with immune function, nutrient absorption, muscle repair, energy production and tissue growth.
The roles that peptides play will be based on the type of amino acid combinations they have. They often serve as hormones since they transmit information from one tissue to another. Peptide hormones are found in the intestine, brain, glands and stomach, and also aid in regulating blood sugar and appetite.
What are proteins?
Proteins are described as large molecules that are composed of more than 50 amino acids. The sequence and composition of amino acids will command the protein's functions.
Proteins perform a lot of heavy lifting in cells. The common functions include:
- Formation of cellular structure to give cells their shape and give the overall support to the body
- Sending signals to promote proper coordination among the tissues, cells and organs
- Formation of new molecules to utilise the DNA information in creating molecules
- Formation of antibodies to bind with bacteria and viruses to safeguard the body from harmful invaders
- Transporting of atoms and molecules throughout the body
- Formation of enzymes, which serve as the catalysts that aid in bringing chemical reactions in the cells
Overall, proteins help in the formation and regulation of the body's organs and tissues.
Are there similarities between peptides and proteins?
Yes, when it comes to their function and form. They both play essential roles in various biological activities and are both considered the building blocks of the body. Their structures are both made of amino acid chains held by peptide bonds.
Specifically, how do proteins and peptides differ?
As mentioned previously, proteins and peptides are composed of the same components. They also both aid the body to maintain its health. The significant difference between the two is their size, based on the number of amino acids they contain. See below their differences:
- Peptides: 2-10 amino acids
- Polypeptides: 10-50 amino acids
- Proteins: 51 or more amino acids
As you can see, a protein is actually a large peptide. Aside from that, peptides are less defined than the protein that provides the cell's structure and shape. Proteins are also more complex in form because they possess multifunctional structures.
Proteins can do more complex functions compared to peptides since they have more amino acids. Remember that the functions of peptides and proteins are dictated by the number of amino acids they have.
Why does the medical application of proteins and peptides sound promising?
Various studies have shown that proteins and peptides provide promising pharmaceutical potential since they can efficiently interact with the body's enzymes, resulting in chemical reactions. These reactions start some specific biological processes that aid in cellular repairs.
The introductions of synthetic forms of proteins and peptides support this breakthrough.
They can imitate the natural functions of peptides and proteins in the body. Thus, they can be utilised as a replacement to assist in repairing or replacing a damaged or missing cellular component.
Conclusion
Our body is a wonderful composition of elements such as proteins and peptides, which serve as the body's building blocks. There are also some specific diseases that peptides and proteins can help treat. Nowadays, they are utilised as a supplement for best recovery.
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