Proteins play vital roles in the operation of the human body. Some proteins form structures like hair and muscle. Other proteins have distinct jobs. They make up antibodies that protect us against infectious disease, hormones that send instructions to body parts, and enzymes that promote chemical reactions. Virtually every chemical reaction in the cell occurs in the presence of a catalyst.
Most catalysts are proteins.
It's important to understand the structure of these proteins in order to get some handle on what they do and how they do it. The proteins in snake venom carry out functions in the human body, just like our own proteins. For example, many types of venom contain enzymes that trigger chemical reactions. Natural enzymes work to help the body, but the enzymes in snake venom have harmful effects. Bieber studies the venom of the Mojave Rattlesnake, which is found extensively throughout Arizona.