1.7. Dietary requirements for a-a

Question 1

essential a-a

Answer 1

the amino acids that our body doesn’t produce by itself so we have to obtain them through nutrition (9 of them)

Question 2

non-essentail a-a

Answer 2

a-a which our body synthesizes so we don’t have to ingest them

Question 3

conditionally essential a-a

Answer 3

limited synthesis (only in extreme conditions like stress and starvation, and in premature babies)

Question 4

unbalanced diet or starvation leads to

Answer 4

lack of essential a-a>body can’t make some proteins>protein malnutrition

Question 5

consequences of protein malnutrition

Answer 5

• liver can’t make clotting factors (hemophilia)
• bone marrow can’t make Hb (anemia)
• muscles can’t make myosin - contractile protein (weak muscles)
• fatigue, low immunity, slowed growth, low mental alertness (neurotransmitters - hormones are proteins)
• scurvy - swollen and bleeding gums, hair loss, easy bruising - lack of vitamin C (produces collagen) > a-a proline + vitamin C -> a-a hydroxyproline

Question 6

fibrous protein

Answer 6

• long, narrow
• structural purpose
• less sensitive to changes in pH and temp
• insoluble in water (bc it has to provide firmness - hair would dissolve)
• collagen, myosin, fibrin, elastin, keratin

Question 7

globular protein

Answer 7

• round, spherical
• functional purpose
• sensitive to changes in pH and temp.
• soluble in water (bc they are functional units, catalyze reactions…)
• enzymes, Hb, antibodies, hormones