IMKoRnNuts wrote:
>> 1. What is the difference between protein synthesis and protein breakdown?
The enzymes involved are totally different. Protein synthesis takes
place on the ribozome, a complex organelle consisting of RNA and
proteins. The polypeptide chain is synthesized from one end to the
other, adding on amino acid after the other according to the
information on the messenger-RNA.
Protein degradation works totally different. The proteins selected are
transported to a different kind of organelles (or perhaps some are
degraded in the cytoplasm/periplasm, I don't know) and there they are
cut in pieces by proteases - there is no information (from RNA)
involved, but the process is regulated in a complex way (which
proteins are degraded, where is this done, ...)
> 2. What is the function of ATP?
Principally ATP is the short-term "energy currency" in a cell. For
protein synthesis, a lot of ATP is needed.
I think you should really consult some biochemistry textbook.
HTH
Frank
