Absorption and Utilisation of Proteins

Question 1

How do proteins enter the bloodstream?

Answer 1

They pass through the wall of the villi and into the bloodstream

Question 2

What happens to amino acids in the villi?

Answer 2

They are passed into the portal vein where they are brought to the liver

Question 3

What happens to the amino acids in the liver?

Answer 3

In the liver they are used to maintain and repair liver cells

Question 4

What happens to the amino acids that are not used in the liver?

Answer 4

They are passed into the bloodstream where they are brought around the body to form new cells, repair damaged cells and manufacture hormones, enzymes and antibodies

Question 5

What happens to excess amino acids?

Answer 5

They are deamination to produce heat and energy

Question 6

What is deamination?

Answer 6

The breakdown of excess protein in the body and using it as a source of energy

Question 7

What happens to an amino acid when it is deaminated?

Answer 7

The amino end (NH2) is removed and it is converted to ammonia and then urea which is then excreted through the kidneys
The COOH group (carboxyl end) is removed and oxidised to produce energy and heat