What kind of proteins carry out specific functions in biological systems?

Functional proteins are crucial in biological systems because they perform a variety of specific tasks that are essential for the organism's survival and proper functioning. These proteins include enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and receptors, each tailored to engage in particular biochemical processes. For instance, enzymes facilitate metabolic reactions, while hormones help regulate physiological activities.

The term "functional proteins" encapsulates a wide range of proteins that are not only involved in structural roles but actively partake in various biochemical processes necessary for life. Their diverse roles make them foundational to understanding how biological systems operate, demonstrating the specificity of proteins for particular functions. In contrast, while structural proteins primarily provide support and shape to cells and tissues, transport proteins facilitate the movement of substances across membranes, and defense proteins relate specifically to immune responses. Each of these categories underscores the specialization of proteins in biological contexts, but functional proteins encompass the broader range of tasks required for overall biological function.