Proteins

Proteins perform many essential physiological functions, including catalyzing biochemical reactions.

An amino acid contains an amino group, a carboxyl group, and an R group, and it combines with other amino acids to form polypeptide chains.

Each successive level of protein folding ultimately contributes to its shape and therefore its function.

Denaturation is a process in which proteins lose their shape and, therefore, their function because of changes in pH or temperature.