How do proteins "tell" a cell what to do?
1 Answer
You obviously know that proteins do not literally tell the cell what to do, however they do control its actions.
If you are unaware, metabolism in cells, the cells overall reactions, are managed by what the cell is exposed to and its needs, meaning what it needs to break down or synthesize.
These processes are regulated by proteins. The proteins would selectively bind to different mRNA strands that code for different proteins, choosing the one it needs to form the protein the cell needs for its processes.
For example, if there are large amounts of lactose in a cell, its proteins bind to an mRNA sequence that codes for the production of lactase, a protein that breaks down lactose.
And hence, the cell was controlled based on the proteins in it.
Let me know if you found this beneficial.
