(noun. /pro-teen)
by Chelsea Smith
What does it mean?
A protein is a molecule composed of amino acids, joined together by bonds called peptide bonds. Proteins are produced in our cells by transcribing a gene into messenger RNA (mRNA), and then translating mRNA into a protein. Proteins are the building blocks of our bodies, and many function as enzymes in biological processes.
How do I use it in a sentence?
“GFP is a protein made by some jellyfish that makes them glow green!”
DNA, which encodes for genes, is transcribed into mRNA. mRNA is then translated into protein, which is made up of amino acids joined by peptide bonds. Image source: Generated using a BioRender template adapted from GPT 3.5.
Related terms
Gene
RNA
Transcription
Translation
Peptide Bond
Fields of study in which this word is commonly used
Biology
Chemistry
