Question

The term ‘Protein’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Proteios’ which means
(a) Big in size
(b) Tiny
(c) Neutral
(d) Of prime importance

Answer 1

Hint: Protein is a kind of biomolecule found in the body that carries out many functions like transport of nutrients across the cell membrane, fight infections in the form of antibodies, carry out the metabolism of the body in the form of enzymes, etc.

Complete step by step answer:
The word ‘Protein’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Proteios’ which means ‘Of prime importance’. This is because proteins are the biomolecules that make up the structural and functional part of a cell because most of the structure of a cell is made up of protein and the functions of a cell are carried out by molecules made out of protein. A protein is a poly made up of repeating units known as amino acids. Amino acids are a class of chemical compounds that contain the amine group as well as the carboxylic group hence the name ‘amino acid’.

So, the correct option is ‘Of prime importance’.

Additional information: The structure of proteins is classified into different types based on the association it has with other proteins.
Primary structure: It deals with the sequence of how amino acids are placed in a polypeptide chain. The first amino acid is called the N-terminal and the last amino is called the C-terminal.
Secondary structure: The ways how polypeptide chains are connected to each other in the form of hydrogen bonds such as an alpha helix or beta-pleated sheet.
Tertiary structure: The three-dimensional structure of a long protein chain is known as its tertiary structure such as it can be in the form of a hollow woolen ball.
Quaternary structure: The arrangement of subunits of a protein with respect to each other. For example, the hemoglobin protein consists of 4 subunits: 2 alpha and 2 beta subunits.

Note:
-The simplest amino acid is glycine which only contains hydrogen (H) as the R group.
-Amino acids are classified into essential and non-essential types based on whether our body can produce them on its own.
-The amino acids that cannot be made by the body are known as essential amino acids.