Proteins serve all of these functions and many more. Most enzymes are proteins, which help to catalyze spontaneous reactions. Ribozymes can also serve this function but are instead made out of RNA. Proteins can act as transcriptional regulators which can turn on or off gene transcription. Structural proteins, such as actin, can help to maintain the shape of a cell. Other small proteins, such as insulin, can act as hormones which can diffuse throughout the body relaying important messages.

Proteins serve all of these functions and many more. Most enzymes are proteins, which help to catalyze spontaneous reactions. Ribozymes can also serve this function but are instead made out of RNA. Proteins can act as transcriptional regulators which can turn on or off gene transcription. Structural proteins, such as actin, can help to maintain the shape of a cell. Other small proteins, such as insulin, can act as hormones which can diffuse throughout the body relaying important messages.

Ionic bonds, disulfide bridges, hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions are all examples of protein tertiary structure when they occur within a single polypeptide chain. However, if these interactions were to occur between separate polypeptide chains then they would be defining the quaternary structure of the protein. The linear sequence of amino acids within a protein makes up the primary structure. Protein secondary structure is defined by the localized three-dimensional structure of amino acids. These localized structures are normally constructed through hydrogen bonding networks. Alpha helices and Beta pleated sheets are examples of secondary structures.

Ionic bonds, disulfide bridges, hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions are all examples of protein tertiary structure when they occur within a single polypeptide chain. However, if these interactions were to occur between separate polypeptide chains then they would be defining the quaternary structure of the protein. The linear sequence of amino acids within a protein makes up the primary structure. Protein secondary structure is defined by the localized three-dimensional structure of amino acids. These localized structures are normally constructed through hydrogen bonding networks. Alpha helices and Beta pleated sheets are examples of secondary structures.

Enzymes are used to increase the rate of a reaction. This is accomplished by lowering the activation energy required for substrates to react, often by altering the transition state. Enzymes do not, however, increase the amount of products formed; they simply help the equilibrium be reached more quickly. In other words, enzymes change the rate of a reaction, but not the equilibrium.

Enzymes are used to increase the rate of a reaction. This is accomplished by lowering the activation energy required for substrates to react, often by altering the transition state. Enzymes do not, however, increase the amount of products formed; they simply help the equilibrium be reached more quickly. In other words, enzymes change the rate of a reaction, but not the equilibrium.

Enzymes speed up reactions by lowering the energy required to begin the reaction (the activation energy). They do not have any direct effect on the change in free energy, nor do they provide extra energy to the system. Enzymes also cannot alter the substrate concentration. Catalytic action will never be able to influence the equilibrium constant or equilibrium concentrations of a reaction.

Enzymes speed up reactions by lowering the energy required to begin the reaction (the activation energy). They do not have any direct effect on the change in free energy, nor do they provide extra energy to the system. Enzymes also cannot alter the substrate concentration. Catalytic action will never be able to influence the equilibrium constant or equilibrium concentrations of a reaction.

Helothermine is a peptide toxin that inhibits calcium channels in the cerebellar granule cells. The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls voluntary muscle movements such as those in the limbs, and the toxin must be inhibiting very specifically to cause those two symptoms and not total paralysis or other problems.

Enzymes are not consumed or used up during a reaction, rather they simply increase the rate of reaction by making it "easier" for the reaction to occur, i.e. lowering the activation energy. Equilibrium is not altered by the presence of an enzyme. There are examples of catalytic RNA molecules (ribosomes) and therefore biological catalysts are not always proteins.