Which component is NOT a function of proteins in the body?

Proteins serve numerous vital functions in the body, making them essential to various physiological processes. Among these functions are the production of hormones such as insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. Proteins are also integral to the transport of nutrients; for example, hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body.

Additionally, proteins can serve as a source of energy, especially when carbohydrates and fats are not available. While proteins can be broken down into amino acids that are then converted into glucose or ketones for energy, this is not their primary function.

In contrast, the storage of genetic information is a role attributed to nucleic acids, specifically DNA and RNA, rather than proteins. DNA stores genetic information and RNA helps in the process of translating that information into proteins, but proteins themselves do not serve to store genetic information. Thus, identifying storage of genetic information as a function that proteins do not perform highlights a fundamental distinction between the roles of proteins and nucleic acids in the body.