Amino Acids Flashcards
How many standard amino acids are coded in DNA?
20 standard amino acids.
What are essential amino acids?
Essential amino acids must be obtained from the diet.
What are the non-essential amino acids?
Non-essential amino acids are synthesized by the body.
What are acidic functional groups in amino acids?
Acidic groups maintain pH by donating hydrogens (e.g., Glutamic acid).
Glutamine & Glutamate
What are basic functional groups in amino acids?
Basic groups accept hydrogens.
Lysine, Histidine, Arginine & Proline
What are sulfur groups in amino acids?
Involved in detoxification and antioxidant production.
Methionine, Cysteine, Homocysteine & Taurine
What are aromatic groups in amino acids?
Aromatic groups are starting points for neurotransmitters.
Tyrosine, Phenylalanine & Tryptophan
What is the role of Glutamine?
Glutamine is an energy source for enterocytes and lymphocytes and crosses the blood-brain barrier to convert to Glutamate (excitatory neurotransmitter).
What is Cysteine’s role?
Cysteine is a precursor to Glutathione, a key antioxidant, and is found in supplemental form as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) for liver detoxification and respiratory conditions.
What does Tryptophan do?
Tryptophan is a precursor for serotonin (mood regulation) and melatonin (sleep regulation).
Caution when used alongside SSRIs to avoid serotonin syndrome.
What is Tyrosine’s function?
Tyrosine is a precursor for dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, and is involved in thyroid hormone and melanin synthesis.
What is the clinical relevance of Homocysteine?
High levels of Homocysteine are linked to cardiovascular disease, depression, and infertility, treated with Vitamin B12 and Folate.
What is Lysine’s role in health?
Lysine inhibits viral replication, especially Herpes simplex virus, and is found in animal protein, legumes, and dairy.
What is Histidine’s importance?
Histidine is a precursor for histamine, important in immune response and digestion, and is involved in arousal and appetite regulation.
What is Alanine used for?
Alanine recycles glucose from muscle to liver for energy during exercise and is used as a recovery enhancer in athletes (β-Alanine).
What does Taurine support?
Taurine supports muscle and CNS function, acts as an antioxidant, and is used in liver detoxification and bile salt production.
What is Proline essential for?
Proline is essential for collagen formation and skin health.
What are Non-Protein Amino Acids?
Function independently, do not form peptide bonds.
What determines amino acid shape and function?
Side Chains.
What are Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)?
Valine, Leucine & Isoleucine.
Key Functions: Muscle protein synthesis, energy supply.
Which BCAA is most potent for activating protein synthesis?
Leucine.
What are the sources of BCAAs?
Meat, dairy, eggs, legumes; Isoleucine high in legumes, meat, dairy but low in grains.
What is Tryptophan a precursor to?
Serotonin and melatonin.
What are the therapeutic uses of Tryptophan?
Depression (5-HTP), insomnia (melatonin supplements).
Precaution: Avoid with CNS depressants and SSRIs due to serotonin syndrome risk.
What is Phenylalanine a precursor for?
Catecholamines (e.g., dopamine, epinephrine).
What does Tyrosine synthesize?
Dopamine, epinephrine.
Essential for thyroid hormone and melanin production.
What is Glutamate?
Excitatory neurotransmitter; converts to GABA (inhibitory) with Vitamin B6.
What does Glutamate combine with to form Glutathione?
Glycine and Cysteine.
Glutathione is an antioxidant.
What is Glutamine’s role?
Crosses blood-brain barrier, converts to Glutamate.
What is Methionine critical for?
Hormone synthesis, DNA methylation, myelin sheath maintenance, cell membrane fluidity.
What does Methionine convert to?
SAM (S-adenosyl methionine), a methyl donor.
What is Cysteine a precursor for?
Glutathione.
What is the supplemental form of Cysteine?
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)—used for detoxification and respiratory conditions.
What are high levels of Homocysteine linked to?
Depression, CVD, infertility, inflammation, cancer.
How can high Homocysteine levels be treated?
Supplementation with Vitamin B12 and Folate.
What is high in Lysine?
Animal proteins, legumes, and dairy; low in grains.
What is Histidine a precursor for?
Histamine.
What role does Arginine play?
Produces nitric oxide (NO), which lowers blood pressure.
What is the structure of amino acids?
Amine group (NH2), Carboxylate group (COOH), Central carbon with a side group (R group).
What are the 9 essential amino acids?
Help In Learning These Little Molecules Proves Truely Valuable
Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Threonine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Valine.
What are Peptides?
Short chain of 2-50 amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
Building blocks of protein.
