numerous

DEFINITION:

Consisting of, including, or relating to a great number; many.

proteins

DEFINITION:

Any of a group of complex organic compounds which contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually sulfur, the characteristic element being nitrogen, and which are widely distributed in plants and animals. Proteins, the principal constituents of the protoplasm of all cells, are of high molecular weight and consist essentially of combinations of a-amino acids in peptide linkages. Twenty different amino acids are commonly found in proteins, and each protein has a unique, genetically defined amino acid sequence which determines its specific shape and function. They serve as enzymes, structural elements, hormones, immunoglobulins, etc., and are involved in oxygen transport, muscle contraction, electron transport, and other activities throughout the body, and in photosynthesis.

binding protein - any of a number of plasma proteins (See below) that bind to hormones of low solubility (chiefly the thyroid and steroid hormones), thus providing a transport system for them; some are specific for particular hormones, while others bind to any sparingly soluble hormones. Called also carrier protein or transport protein (See below).

carrier proteins - A binding protein (See above).

plasma proteins - The hundreds of different proteins present in blood plasma, including carrier proteins (such as albumin, transferrin, and haptoglobin), fibrinogen and other coagulation factors, complement components, immunoglobulins, enzyme inhibitors, precursors of substances such as angiotensin and bradykinin, and many other types of proteins.

transport protein - binding protein (See above).

cells

DEFINITION:

See definitions for "cell."

catalyze

DEFINITION:

To initiate a chemical reaction and enable it to proceed under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible.

biochemical

DEFINITION:

Pertaining to biochemistry.