Amino Acids Flashcards
way ko na-include di ang isa-isa nga description ka amino acids sa essential kag non hahahahhaa talamad & talalang na, sariling sikap nalang sa dira nga part guys sry
They are the basic structural building blocks of protein.
Amino acids
If amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, what are the building blocks of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides
What are the components of amino acids?
1 amino group, 1 carboxyl group, 1 H atom, and 1 specific group (R group) attached to the central C atom.
R group is also called ___.
Side chain
How many common alpha amino acids are used by ribosomes to make proteins?
20
What do the 20 common amino acids have in common?
They have L chirality at the alpha carbon.
This amino acid slices DNA and produces different amino acids.
Glycine (G/Gly)
What do you call amino acids that can be converted to glucose?
Glucogenic
What are the three most important glucogenic amino acids?
Glycine (G/Gly)
Alanine (A/Ala)
Serine (S/Ser)
If an amino acid has two carboxylic groups, what is its pH?
Acidic
If an amino acid has two amino groups, what is its pH?
Basic
This amino acid is an important source of energy for muscle, and is the primary amino acid in sugar metabolism.
Alanine (A/Ala)
What amino acids produces antibodies?
Alanine produces antibodies to boost the immune system.
This amino acid essential for muscle growth and is involved in energy production.
Valine (V/Val)
This amino acid is beneficial for skin, bone, and tissue wound healing.
Leucine (L/Leu)
This amino acid is necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin and an integral part of muscle metabolism.
Isoleucine (I/Ile)
This amino acid is a critical component of cartilage, aids in joint health, tendons and ligaments, and keeps heart muscle strong.
Proline (P/Pro)
This amino acid is beneficial for healthy nervous system, and boosts memory and learning.
Phenylalanine (F/Phe)
This amino acid increases energy, improves mental clarity and concentration, can treat some depressions.
Tyrosine (Y/Tyr)
Tyrosine is a precursor for what three neurotransmitters?
Dopamine, norepinephrine, adrenaline.
True or False: Norepinephrine can also be called noradrenaline, and adrenaline can also be called epinephrine.
TRUE
What neurotransmitter from tyrosine is known as one of the “happy hormones”?
Dopamine
Adrenaline and norepinephrine are primarily involved in what bodily process?
Fight or flight response
This amino acid is an effective sleep aid. It reduces anxiety and some forms of depression, treats migraines and headaches, and stimulates growth hormone.
Tryptophan (W/Trp)
Tryptophan is necessary for the synthesis of what neurotransmitter?
Serotonin
This amino acid maintains blood sugar levels and boosts the immune system.
Serine (S/Ser)
Where can serine be found?
Myelin sheaths
This amino acid helps prevent fatty deposits in the liver, and aid in antibody production.
Threonine (T/Thr)
Threonine is required for the production of what structural protein?
Collagen
This amino acid is protective against radiation, pollution, and ultra-violet light. It is also a detoxifier.
Cysteine (C/Cys)
This amino acid is an antioxidant. It helps in the breakdown of fats and aids in reducing muscle degeneration.
Methionine (M/Met)
What two amino acids are known as excitatory neurotransmitters?
Asparagine (N/Asn) and Arginine (R/Arg)
This amino acid is essential for helping to maintain normal and steady blood sugar levels. It helps muscle strength and endurance, and gastrointestinal function.
Glutamate (Q/Gln)
What amino acid provides energy to the small intestines?
Glutamate (Q/Gln)
This amino acid is a component of muscle protein, and is needed in the synthesis of enzymes and hormones.
Lysine (K/Lys)
Lysine is a precursor for ___, which is essential for healthy nervous system function.
L-carnitine
This chemical breaks down fat in order to produce energy.
L-carnitine
This amino acid may increase endurance and decrease fatigue. It also detoxifies harmful chemicals and is involved in DNA synthesis.
Arginine (R/Arg)
This amino acid treats anemia, and has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Histidine (H/His)
Hemoglobin has high concentrations of what amino acid?
Histidine (H/His)
This amino acid increases stamina and helps protect the liver. It is also involved in DNA and RNA metabolism and immune system function.
Aspartate (D/Asp)
This amino acid is a neurotransmitter that is involved in DNA synthesis.
Glutamate (E/Glu)
True or False: Glutamate is different from glutamic acid.
FALSE. Glutamate and glutamic acid are the same. This is also the case for aspartate and aspartic acid.
While aspartic acid and aspartate are the same, there is one small difference between them. What is it?
The presence of hydrogen atoms that are attached to the oxygen atoms. These hydrogen atoms create two carboxylic acid groups in the amino acid, which is why it is called aspartic ACID.
It is called aspartate when there are no hydrogen atoms attached.
The same can be said for glutamate and glutamic acid.
What are the three classifications of amino acids according to their need and availability in the human body?
Essential amino acids
Semi-essential amino acids
Non-essential amino acids
These types of amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body and therefore must be supplied in the diet.
Essential amino acids
Why are they called semi-essential amino acids?
They can be synthesized by adults but not by growing children.
What are the 10 essential amino acids?
Phenylalanine
Valine
Tryptophan
Threonine
Isoleucine
Methionine
Histidine
Arginine
Leucine
Lysine
Among the 10 essential amino acids, which 2 are considered to be semi-essential?
Histidine and arginine
These types of amino acids help the body function and regulate neurotransmitters.
Essential amino acids
They are chemicals in the brain that control mood and behavior.
Neurotransmitters
This neurotransmitter is vital to immune response, digestion, sexual function, and sleep-wake cycles.
Histamine
Histamine is critical for maintaining the ____, which is a protective barrier that surrounds your nerve cells.
Myelin sheath
Histamine is produced by what amino acid?
Histidine
What are the three branched-chain amino acids?
Valine, leucine, and isoleucine
Isoleucine is important for the production of what transport protein?
Hemoglobin
Leucine is critical for what bodily processes?
Protein synthesis and muscle repair
What are the only 2 common amino acids that contain sulfur?
Cysteine and methionine
These types of amino acids can be synthesized by the body to meet the biological needs, and do not need to be consumed through the diet.
Non-essential amino acids
What are the 10 non-essential amino acids?
Alanine
Asparagine
Glutamate
Glutamine
Cysteine
Aspartate
Glycine
Tyrosine
Proline
Serine
What are the four classifications of amino acids?
According to the structure of side chain
According to the polarity of side chain
According to the nutritional requirements
According to the metabolic rate
Cysteine is a precursor to what antioxidant?
Glutathione
Serine is a precursor to what 4 molecules?
Nucleotides, phospholipids, glycine, and D-serine
What non-essential amino acid functions as a neurotransmitter with a calming effect on the central nervous system?
Glycine
In order to keep blood sugar levels from falling too low, some people take supplements of what amino acid?
Alanine
Aspartate is a precursor to what 4 other amino acids?
Methionine, threonine, isoleucine, and lysine
This non-essential amino acid is also a neurotransmitter associated with learning, memory, language, and speech.
Glutamate
Proline is synthesized from ____.
Glutamate
What are the three physical properties of amino acids?
Solubility, melting point, and taste
True or False: Most amino acids are soluble in water but insoluble in organic solvents.
TRUE
What is the melting point of most amino acids?
2000 degrees Celsius
What are the two tastes of amino acids?
Sweet and tasteless
Give three examples of sweet amino acids.
glycine, alanine, valine
Give two examples of tasteless amino acids.
Arginine, isoleucine
