At a Glance
Quizzes
Protein: References & Edit History
More Articles On This Topic
- bloodPlasma
- EnzymeChemical nature
- ProteinChemical nature
- denaturation
- ExcretionProducts of excretion
- GrowthInternal factors
- ChemoreceptionTaste
- human bodyChemical composition of the body
- digestionDigestion
- human digestive systemProteins
- immune systemComplement
- IntegumentProtozoans
- muscleThe muscle fibre
- muscleProteins of the myofilaments
- nutritionProteins
- therapeuticsGeneral requirements
- olfactory receptor
- cell wallProteins
- meat processingProtein changes
- ReproductionMolecular reproduction
- pregnancyProtein
- renal systemGlomerular filtration
- renal systemVolume and composition
- pregnancyUrinary tract
- PhotoreceptionPhotopigments
- Amino acidBuilding blocks of proteins
- azlon
- lifeAutopoietic
- lifeChemistry of life
- lifeDNA, RNA, and protein
- lifeDNA, RNA, and protein
- lifeProkaryotes and eukaryotes
- lifeSex
- lifeHypotheses of origins
- lifeProduction of polymers
- biomolecule
- MetabolismSynthesis of proteins
- cellMatrix proteins
- membrane
- LipidLipids in biological membranes
- cellThe structure of biological molecules
- cellMembrane proteins
- photosynthesisChemical composition of lamellae
- separation and purificationSeparations based on rates
- separation and purificationField separations
- crystalDetermination of crystal structures
- cysteine
- drugReceptors
- endoplasmic reticulum
- rough endoplasmic reticulum
- Papain
- BiochemistryHistorical background
- heredityDNA as the agent of heredity
- heredityExpression of the genetic code: transcription and translation
- Golgi apparatus
- hapten
- human endocrine systemTraditional endocrinology
- chemical bondingThe hydrogen bond
- kinase
- MetabolismThe unity of life
- MetabolismNucleic acids and proteins
- MetabolismThe catabolism of proteins
- phylogenyMajor evolutionary steps
- evolutionMolecular biology
- evolutionEvolution within a lineage and by lineage splitting
- molecular biology
- centrifugeVacuum-type centrifuges
- organosulfur compoundThiols
- polyamide
- ribosome
- sulfur cycle
- transcription
- translation
- virusDefinition
- virusThe nucleic acid
- Cereal processingProtein content
- human nutritionCereals
- dairy productRipening
- cheese makingRipening
- eggStructure and composition
- fad dietCommon features and popular examples
- human nutritionMeat, fish, and eggs
- fish processingProteins
- fruit processingProtein and fat content
- entomophagyEntomophagy versus meat
- human nutritionLegumes
- meat processingChemistry and nutrient composition
- milk
- dairy productProtein
- quinoa
- soybean
- Cereal processingSoybean
- vegetable processingNutritional value
- Günter Blobel
- Torbjörn Oskar Caspersson
- Edwin Joseph Cohn
- Emil FischerEnzyme and protein research
- Robert Huber
- John M. JumperSolving protein folding
- Susan L. Lindquist
- Lafayette Benedict Mendel
- Hartmut Michel
- Linus PaulingElucidation of molecular structures
- Michael SmithDevelopment of site-directed mutagenesis
- Arne Tiselius
- Dorothy Maud WrinchCareer
- Charles Yanofsky
Additional Reading
Comprehensive works are David L. Nelson and Michael L. Cox, Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 7th ed. (2017); Reginald H. Garrett and Charles M. Grisham (eds.), Biochemistry, 6th ed. (2017); David Whitford, Proteins: Structure and Function, 2nd rev. ed. (2016); Paulo Almeida, Proteins: Concepts in Biochemistry (2016); and Arthur M. Lesk, Introduction to Protein Science: Architecture, Function, and Genomics, 3rd ed. (2016).
Article Contributors
Primary Contributors
- Daniel E. Koshland
- Felix Haurowitz
-
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors
Article History
| Type | Description | Contributor | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Article title updated for style. | Nov 11, 2026 | ||
| Modified link of Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - Physiology, Proteins. | Sep 18, 2026 | ||
| Add new Web site: Frontiers - Frontiers in Nutrition - Protein quality, nutrition and health. | Apr 17, 2026 | ||
| Media added. | Apr 17, 2026 | ||
| Add new Web site: Healthdirect - Protein. | Apr 17, 2026 | ||
| Add new Web site: Cleveland Clinic - Proteins. | Feb 03, 2026 | ||
| Add new Web site: OpenStax - Biology 2e - Proteins. | Nov 29, 2025 | ||
| Corrected display issue. | Oct 10, 2025 | ||
| Added a protein calculator. | Sep 16, 2025 | ||
| Add new Web site: CellPress - The next decade of protein structure. | Jun 18, 2025 | ||
| Questions and answers added. | Feb 13, 2025 | ||
| Corrected references to illustration in the running text. | Jan 14, 2025 | ||
| Cross-references added. | Jun 11, 2024 | ||
| Add new Web site: Roger Williams University Open Publishing - Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology - Amino Acids and Proteins. | Apr 18, 2024 | ||
| Add new Web site: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - The Nutrition Source - Protein. | Apr 16, 2024 | ||
| Media added. | Mar 12, 2024 | ||
| Add new Web site: Michigan State University - Department of Chemistry - Peptides and Proteins. | Dec 14, 2023 | ||
| Links and video added. | Apr 21, 2023 | ||
| Add new Web site: Chemistry LibreTexts - The Peptide Bond. | Jan 26, 2023 | ||
| Add new Web site: Chemistry LibreTexts - Proteins. | Oct 18, 2022 | ||
| New media added. | Aug 20, 2020 | ||
| Added a photo of bean salad. | Aug 08, 2019 | ||
| Corrected display issue. | Jul 23, 2018 | ||
| Add new Web site: Genetic Home Reference - What are proteins and what do they do? | Feb 14, 2018 | ||
| Add new Web site: University of North Dakota Dining Services Fact Sheet - Protein. | Oct 27, 2017 | ||
| Bibliography thoroughly revised and updated. | May 26, 2017 | ||
| Updated information on the molecular weights of immunoglobulins IgM and IgA. | Mar 03, 2017 | ||
| Added a brief description of hypocalcemia. | Mar 03, 2017 | ||
| Added mention of Émile Duclaux, who in the 19th century suggested that all enzyme names end with "-ase." | Mar 03, 2017 | ||
| Added an illustration showing the four-chain structure of an immunoglobulin molecule. | Mar 03, 2017 | ||
| Updated information on the molecular weight of proteins in bovine milk and on the occurrence of lysozyme in the urine of patients with meningitis and renal disease. | Mar 03, 2017 | ||
| Media added. | Feb 20, 2017 | ||
| Updated information on melanin and respiratory proteins. | Feb 20, 2017 | ||
| Media added. | Feb 06, 2017 | ||
| Cross-references added. | Feb 06, 2017 | ||
| Updated information on proline and hydroxyproline. | Jan 24, 2017 | ||
| Updated information on the history of the term protein. | Jan 12, 2017 | ||
| Media added. | Jan 12, 2017 | ||
| Media added. | Apr 07, 2016 | ||
| Add new Web site: Science Kids - Fun Science and Technology for Kids! - Protein Facts for Kids. | Apr 28, 2014 | ||
| Add new Web site: NetDoctor - Protein. | Apr 28, 2014 | ||
| Add new Web site: The Nemours Foundation - Kids' Health for Kids - Learning about Proteins. | Apr 28, 2014 | ||
| Add new Web site: Better Health Channel - Protein. | Mar 07, 2014 | ||
| Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Proteins. | Mar 14, 2013 | ||
| Add new Web site: WebMD - Benefits of Protein. | Mar 06, 2013 | ||
| Diagrams of amino acid structures added. | Nov 06, 2012 | ||
| Figures removed from section Hormones of the thyroid gland. | Nov 06, 2012 | ||
| Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - The integrative biology of genetic dominance. | Dec 05, 2011 | ||
| Added new Web site: The Virtual Chembook of Elmhurst College - Proteins. | Nov 10, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Healthguide - Protein In Diet. | Sep 24, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: Michigan State University - Proteins, Peptides & Amino Acids. | Aug 04, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: Kimball's Biology Pages - Proteins. | Aug 04, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: National Library of Medicine - Protein in diet. | Aug 04, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: Scientific Psychic - Proteins. | Jun 09, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: Protein Crystallography - Description of protein. | Jun 06, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: The University of Utah - Discover How Proteins Function. | Jun 06, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: Clackamas Community College - Functions of Protein. | Jun 06, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: MedlinePlus - Protein. | Jun 06, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: Protein Structure and Function - Protein. | Jun 06, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: The Nemours Foundation - For Kids - Learning About Proteins. | May 12, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: Rader's Chem4Kids.Com - Proteins. | May 05, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: The Nemours Foundation - Kids' Health for Kids - Learning About Proteins. | Apr 23, 2008 | ||
| Article revised. | Apr 22, 2008 | ||
| Article revised and updated. | Apr 22, 2008 | ||
| Article added to new online database. | Jul 26, 1999 |
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