Peptides: Their functions, Benefits,and Uses

Peptides have become a key part of human existence and our world. Either in its natural or synthetic form, Peptides have found a prominent application in diverse areas of our daily life and environment. With its ever-growing usage, various functions and benefits of peptides are observed on a regular basis, and we are here to look at some of the roles peptides play in our body and society at large.

Drug research 

The usefulness of peptides has been witnessed in the pharmaceutical industry, where it is utilized for various research and development purposes. Both naturally produced peptides and synthetically produced peptides areutilized to improve the immune system and hormone production in humans. Also, synthetic peptides are tailored to enhance the functionality of naturally occurring peptides in the body. One thing that has played a significant part in the use of peptides in the pharmaceutical industry is the fact that they are cheap and easy to produce.

Vital body functions

Living cells and peptides go hand in hand due to the fact that peptides naturally occur in cells of any living organism. Some of the functions of peptides include;
•    Production of enzymes that aids in the breakdown of substances in the body
•    Creation of antibiotics used by the immune system
•    Creation of growth and sexual hormones.
Such is the vitality of peptides in humans that without itit would be impossible to live. Let's see some areas of peptides usefulness in humans.

Proteins

It is common to find peptides being referred to as proteins, this because just like proteins, peptides contain amino acids that are chemically combined. The amino acids in peptides range from as small as two amino acids, to as much as thousands of amino acids.

Enzymes 

Enzymes are known as a biological catalyst. Their primary purpose is to alter the rate of chemical/metabolic reactions in the body. As it stands, most enzymes are peptides, and they found in various places in the body to help boost the rate of various chemical processes in the body. Such processes range from production of energy to digestion of food. The role a peptide has in the bodyis determined by the size of the peptide along with the numbers of amino acid that makes up the peptide


Hormones 

Hormones are biological messengers that use the bloodstream as a transporting medium to convey information from one tissue to another. Peptide hormone and steroid hormone are the two common types of hormone. Some of the common the peptides hormones include insulin and glucagon, both of play a role in blood glucose regulation, and also ghrelin and leptin, which help to regulate appetite

Diagnostics 

Another use of peptides (synthetic peptides) is in the area of diagnosis, where it is utilized as a diagnostic aid. Because of the way they react to their immediate environment, by changing colors, doctors sometimes employ them as a diagnostic aid. Their change in coloration when exposed to different media, and environment makes them good indicators. As an example, in the presence of virus and toxins, blue synthetic peptide will change to red.