Final answer:
Proteins, such as antibodies, are essential components of the human body's defense mechanisms, helping to prevent infections and maintain overall health. They serve various functions including building and repairing cells, and they are made from amino acids obtained from the diet.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defense mechanisms in the human body are made up of proteins, which help prevent infections and disease. Proteins are vital nutrients that are made from long chains of amino acids folded into specific three-dimensional structures that determine their function. Proteins, especially antibodies, play a crucial role in the immune system by identifying and neutralizing foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses.
Aside from their defensive role, proteins are also essential for building and repairing cells, muscle fibers, and for aiding in numerous other bodily processes like enzyme reactions. The body's ability to perform these functions depends on having a sufficient amount of dietary protein, providing the necessary amino acids to maintain and synthesize new proteins.
For example, albumin is an abundant plasma protein that contributes to osmotic pressure, while immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, are specific proteins produced by B lymphocytes. These antibodies bind to foreign objects to protect the body from infections.