Biochemistry
Protein
Large molecules made of amino acid chains that perform most cellular functions. Proteins include enzymes (catalysts), structural components, transporters, and signaling molecules.
Biological Context
Protein shape determines function—misfolded proteins cause diseases like Alzheimer's. The human body makes over 20,000 different proteins. Proteins are constantly synthesized and degraded. Dietary protein provides amino acids for building new proteins.
Business Application
Organizational proteins: the functional units that do the actual work—teams, departments, processes. Like biological proteins, their structure determines their function, and they need to be properly 'folded' (organized) to work correctly.