1.1.4 Leaving home : Where do proteins go after they grow up?

Question 1

What are some of the functions of a protein?

Answer 1

Proteins help form the structure of a cell by providing a lattice that prevents the cell from collapsing

They catalyse many chemical reactions

Some proteins sit on the surface of the cell and allow cells to ‘ chat ‘ and exchange important information

Proteins can be involved in programmed death

Question 2

Where are proteins made?

Answer 2

Ribosomes

Question 3

Where can ribosomes be found and where do they go?

Answer 3

Rough endoplasmic reticulum
cytoplasm

where a protein is produced largely determines where it will end up. Proteins produced in free floating ribosomes tend to hang around cytoplasm. Those in the rough ER are exported to organelles or outside the cell.

Once a protein is made the rER will send it to the golgi body via a vesicle. Once in the golgi body proteins are sorted and sent off in other vesicles to organelles or outside the cell. The vesicles arrive at the organelle or the cell membrane and by fusing membranes dump the proteins inside.

Question 4

What are vesicles and what do they do?

Answer 4

Vesicles are like little post vans!
they carry proteins and other stuff for delivery around the cell

Question 5

What is the golgi body like?

Answer 5

A big distribution centre that decides where proteins go