3.2.1.1 Protein

Question 1

State two functions of protein.

Answer 1

Growth and repair of body cells and tissues.
Repair and maintenance of body tissues.
Source of energy (15%)
Makes hormones, enzymes and antibodies.

Question 2

What are the building blocks of protein known as?

Answer 2

Amino acids.

Question 3

How many amino acids are there?

Answer 3

20

Question 4

What is meant by an essential amino acid?

Answer 4

An amino acid that cannot be made by the body, they must come from food.

Question 5

What is meant by a non-essential amino acid?

Answer 5

An amino acid that can be made by the body and are always available.

Question 6

What is a HBV protein?

Answer 6

Food which contains all of the essential amino acids e.g. meat, fish and quinoa.

Question 7

What is a LBV protein?

Answer 7

Foods which contain some, but not all, of the essential amino acids e.g. cereals, nuts and seeds.

Question 8

What is protein complementation?

Answer 8

When two LBV proteins (e.g. bread and beans) are combined together in a meal (e.g. beans on toast) which together provide all of the essential amino acids.

Question 9

State three sources of protein.

Answer 9

Meat, meat products, fish, milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, soya products, quinoa, mycoprotein (Quorn), cerals, cereal products (e.g. bread and pasta), sweetcorn, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds.

Question 10

State two examples of protein compelentation.

Answer 10

Lentil dalh
Beans on toast.
Peas and rice.
Houmous with pitta bread.
Rice and bean salad.
Nut butter on bread.
Rice dessert set with gelatine.

Question 11

What is a protein alternative?

Answer 11

A product which is designed as an alternative to meat (e.g. mycoprotein (Quorn)) which is high in protein.

Question 12

State an example of a protein alternative.

Answer 12

Tofu, tempeh, TVP, mycoprotein.

Question 13

What is an effect of an excess of protein?

Answer 13

Protein contains nitrogen which the body removes through urinating. If the liver and kidneys have to work very hard to get rid of the nitrogen due to too much protein being consumed, it can damage those parts of the body.

Question 14

What is an effect of a deficiency of protein?

Answer 14

Children may not grow properly.
People are more likely to develop infections (as protein helps protect our immune system).
Weaker skin and nails.
Hair loss.

Question 15

State an example of a HBV protein.

Answer 15

Meat, fish, eggs, milk, quinoa…

Question 16

State an example of a LBV protein.

Answer 16

Cereals, cereal products (e.g. bread and pasta), sweetcorn, peas, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds…

Question 17

How many essential amino acids do adults require?

Answer 17

8 essential amino acids.

Question 18

How many essential acids do children require?

Answer 18

10 essential amino acids.

Question 19

How much energy (kcals) does 1g of protein provide?

Answer 19

1g per 4kcals of energy.

Question 20

Why do men often require more protein than women?

Answer 20

Men require more protein than women due to the fact they are usually bigger than women.

Question 21

Why do teenagers require more protein as they get older?

Answer 21

Teenagers need more protein to support their rapid growth spurt.