Contextualization

Proteins are macromolecules essential for the survival and proper functioning of all living organisms. They act in virtually all biological functions, assisting in tissue structuring, organism defense, control of chemical reactions, and substance transport. Composed of smaller units called amino acids, proteins have a structural complexity that is essential for their various functions.

The amino acids that make up proteins have a common structure with an amino group, a carboxylic group, and a side chain that differentiates them, allowing the formation of 20 different amino acids that can compose proteins. The physicochemical properties of these side chains directly influence the three-dimensional structure of proteins and, consequently, their functions.

When amino acids join to form a protein, they create a peptide bond, resulting in a long chain of amino acids called a polypeptide. Proteins can be formed by one or more of these chains, and their structures can be classified into four levels: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary, each with specific characteristics.

Importance of Proteins

In the real world, proteins are essential for life as we know it. Have you heard of DNA, right? We couldn't talk about it without mentioning proteins. Proteins are responsible for DNA replication, a vital process in all our cells. They are also the main component of our muscles, skin, and hair.

Furthermore, proteins are directly involved in defending our body against external invaders. Antibodies, for example, are proteins that help identify and neutralize foreign substances to the body. Another important role of proteins is that of enzymes, which are proteins that help accelerate chemical reactions in our body.

Finally, understanding the complexity and importance of proteins in our lives is a crucial step in understanding how biological functions occur, how life forms and sustains itself, and how we can intervene to improve human health and well-being.

To deepen your studies, we suggest the following resources:

• Basic Biochemistry: Proteins
• Protein Structure
• The Role of Proteins in the Human Body

Practical Activity

Title: Building Proteins from Amino Acids: A Creative Journey

Project Objective:

The project's objective is to provide students with the opportunity to:

• Understand the structure and composition of proteins
• Observe how proteins are formed through the binding of amino acids
• Reflect on the characteristics and importance of proteins for life

During the execution of this project, the student must develop teamwork, planning, communication, and results presentation skills.

Detailed Project Description:

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members and must create a three-dimensional model of a protein from recyclable or low-cost materials. They should choose a specific protein (such as insulin, hemoglobin, etc.) and research its structure and function. After that, they should plan and build their model, taking into account the different structural levels of proteins (primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary).

Required Materials:

• Recyclable materials (cardboard, PET bottles, popsicle sticks, etc.)
• Paints of different colors
• Glue
• Scissors
• Tape

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution:

1. The groups must choose a protein to study and base the model they will build on it.

2. Students must research to understand the structure and function of the chosen protein, also looking for a visual representation of its structure.

3. With the research done, the group must plan how they will represent the protein with the available materials. They should think about how to represent the different levels of protein structure (primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary), as well as the involved amino acids.

4. After planning, students must start building the model. They should work together, dividing tasks and collaborating to complete the project.

5. Once the model is finished, each group must prepare a presentation explaining their protein, the function it performs, the importance of proteins in general, and the structure of their model.

6. Each group must present their work, explaining the details of the model and answering questions from classmates and the teacher.

Project Deliverables and Explanation of Deliverables:

At the end of the project, students must deliver the following:

3D Model of the protein: This is the physical delivery of the project. The model must be well-elaborated and creative, accurately representing the structure of the chosen protein.

Written Report: In addition to the model, students must deliver a written report following the given structure. The report should contain the following topics:

• Introduction: Contextualization about the importance of proteins and the relevance of studying them. The specific protein chosen by the group must be presented, as well as the justification for the choice.
• Development: Here, students detail the process of creating the model, explaining how they represented each part of the protein and each level of structure. The research conducted on the protein should be presented, explaining the protein's function and structure.
• Conclusion: Students must reflect on the process of creating the model, what they learned during the project, and how their knowledge of proteins was enhanced. The importance of proteins in a broader context should also be discussed.
• Bibliography: The sources used for the work should be listed here.

Oral Presentation: Each group must make a presentation of their project. They should present their model and explain the structure of the chosen protein and its function. The presentation should be organized and clear, demonstrating the knowledge acquired during the project.