AMINO ACIDS Flashcards
Small biomolecules containing at least one amino group and one carboxyl group bonded to the alpha-carbon
AMINO ACIDS
ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS
• PHENYLALANINE
• VALINE
• THREONINE
• TRYPTOPHAN
• ISOLEUCINE
• METHIONINE
• HISTIDINE
• ARGININE
• LEUCINE
• LYSINE
NONESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS
• ALANINE
• ASPARAGINE
• ASPARTIC ACID
• CYSTEINE
• GLUTAMIC ACID
• GLUTAMINE
• GLYCINE
• PROLINE
• SERINE
• TYROSINE
● Plays a role in cell division
● Healing of wounds, stimulation of protein synthesis
● Immune function
● Release of hormones
ARGININE
Required for the generation of urea and synthesis of creatine
Arginine
● Direct precursor of histamine
● Repair body tissues
HISTIDINE
● Maintain myelin sheaths that protect the nerve cells
● Helps manufacture RBC and WBC
Histidine
● Protect the body from heavy metal toxicity
Histidine
● Needed for hemoglobin formation
● Helps to regulate blood and glucose levels and maintain energy levels
ISOLEUCINE
● Boosts healing of muscle, skin, and bones
● Aids in recovery from surgery
LEUCINE
● Lowers blood glucose levels
● Optimal growth of infants and for nitrogen balance in adults
Leucine
● Plays a role in the production of antibodies (immunoglobulins) and lowers triglyceride levels
● Needed for proper growth and bone development in children
LYSINE
● Maintain a proper nitrogen balance in adults
● Helps in the absorption of calcium and the formation of collagen
Lysine
● Helps initiate translation of messenger RNA
● Source of sulfur
Methionine
● Assist the breakdown of fats
● Helps to detoxify lead and other heavy metals
Methionine
● Helps diminish muscle weakness
● Prevents brittle hair
Methionine
● Promotes alertness and vitality, elevates mood, decreases pain, aids memory and learning
● Used to treat arthritis and depression
● Used by the brain to produce norepinephrine
PHENYLALANINE
● Uses active transport channel to cross the BBB
● Interferes with the production of serotonin
● Part of the composition of aspartame
Phenylalanine
● Important in the component in the formation of protein, collagen, elastin, and tooth enamel
● Helps maintain proper protein balance and aids in liver function, metabolism, and assimilation
Threonine
● Precursor for serotonin and melatonin
● Natural relaxant
● Alleviate insomnia by inducing sleep, soothes anxiety and reduces depression
Tryptophan
● Used in treatment of migraine headaches
● Aids in weight control by reducing appetite
● Helps control hyperactivity in children
Tryptophan
● Heaviest among all the amino acids
Tryptophan
● Needed for muscle metabolism and coordination, tissue repair and maintenance of nitrogen balance
● Used by muscle tissue as an energy source
VALINE
● Used in treatments for muscle, mental and emotional problems (insomnia, anxiety, liver and gallbladder disease)
Valine
● Involved in the breakdown of glucose
● Product of the breakdown of DNA
● Transfer of nitrogen from the peripheral tissue to the liver
ALANINE
● Helps in reducing the buildup of toxic substances that are released into muscle
● Strengthens the immune system through production of antibodies
Alanine
● First amino acid to be isolated = From asparagus juice
● Converting one amino acid into another via amination and transamination
ASPARAGINE
● Both processes occur before the urea cycle
● Required by the nervous system and synthesis of ammonia
ASPARAGINE
● A metabolite in the urea cycle and participates in gluconeogenesis
ASPARTIC ACID
Aspartic acid aka
Aspartate
CYSTEINE
● Named after_____ (precursor)
cystine
Also known as half-cysteine residue
Cysteine
● Production of flavors
● Contains sulfur
Cysteine
● Serves as a neurotransmitter and dysregulation has been linked to epileptic seizures
● Aids in transporting potassium to the spinal fluid
Glutamic Acid (Glutamate)
● Responsible for the taste umami
● Food additive/food enhancer (sodium salt, monosodium glutamate (bitsin)
Glutamic acid (glutamate)
● Most abundant amino acid in the body
● Assists in maintaining the proper acid/alkaline balance in the body (regulates pH)
Glutamine
● Provides fuel for a healthy digestive tract
● Supplement used for muscle growth in weightlifting and bodybuilding
● Transports ammonia to the liver
Glutamine
Simplest amino acid
Glycine
● Only amino acid not optically active because it has no stereoisomers
Glycine
● Has a sweet taste and is used as a sweetener
● Inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS
Glycine
● Helps in the synthesis of bile acids
● Retards muscle degeneration, improves glycogen storage and promotes healing
Glycine
PROLINE
● Precursor of____
hydroxyproline
● Technically not an amino acid, but an imino acid
● Role in wound healing and molecular recognition
Proline
● Works with vit. c to promote healthy connective tissues
● Most abundant amino acid in the body
● Assists in maintaining the proper acid/alkaline balance in the body (regulates pH)
● Provides fuel for a healthy digestive tract
● Technically not a protein since it is an imino acid due to its cyclic structure
Proline
● Involved with fats
● Needed for proper metabolism of fats and fatty acids
Serine
● Highly concentrated in all cell membranes (phospholipid bilayer)
● Component of the protective myelin sheaths surrounding nerve fibers
Serine
Tyrosine
Precursor of
epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, t3 and t4
● Stimulates metabolism
● Mood elevator, suppresses appetite and helps reduce body fat
Tyrosine
● Treatment of chronic fatigue, narcolepsy, anxiety, depression, low sex drive, allergies and headachest
Tyrosine
TWO NEW AMINO ACIDS
● Selenocysteine
● Pyrrolysine
SELENOCYSTEINE
● Established in___
● Encoded by___ codon
2002
UGA
Selenium analogue of cysteine
SELENOCYSTEINE
● Encoded by UAG codon
● Used by archaea and unicellular organisms
PYRROLYSINE
