Amino Acids Flashcards
what is the typical function of tyrosine?
Tyrosine is a major player in the appropriate health of the central nervous system. It assists in maintaining adequate enough levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine which are all regularly utilized by the brain. It also helps boost the secretion of norepinephrine, epinephrine when the body must cope with a high level of mental and physical stress. it is also believed that tyrosine contains antioxidant characteristics, allowing it to help prevent and reduce the damage caused by free radicals on tissues and organs.
what are the common deficiency symptoms of tyrosine?
Low body temperature Low blood pressure Hypothyroidism Irritability Sudden mood swings
what is the typical function of histidine?
Histidine is influential largely as a pre-cursor to histamine. It is needed to produce histamine, a neurotransmitter that has various responsibilities such as sleep regulation, nerve suppression and in sexual function. Additionally, the conversion of histidine into histamine aids in the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Also, in order for the liver to store glucose molecules it must first turn them into glycogen, the storage form of glucose, and this process requires histidine. Other processes like red blood cell production, myelin sheath maintenance, cellular repair involve histidine.
what are the common deficiency symptoms of histidine?
Joint pain is the only identified symptom of histidine deficiency.
A deficiency in babies causes eczema.
what is the typical function of arginine?
Arginine plays various roles in the muscular and immune system. It is one of several components that make up creatine, a well known protein that is essential in producing and using energy in the muscular system. it is needed to produce nitric oxide, a molecule that is key in dilation and constriction of the cardiovascular system. Arginine is also present in the immune system where it stimulates the thymus gland, thus aiding in production and secretion of antibodies.
what are the common deficiency symptoms of arginine?
Muscular weakness Impaired insulin production Skin rashes Hair loss Constipation
what is the typical function of cysteine?
Cysteine’s greatest influence is in the stimulation of glutathione, one of the body’s most abundant forms of antioxidants. The various free radicals that penetrate the body and induce damage on all types of cells can be neutralized by the presence of antioxidants. Cysteine works to increase the level of glutathione levels within the body which help reduce damage from free radicals. Similarly, the increased levels of glutathione help detoxify the liver and promotes the excretion of heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium that can accumulate in the body. Additionally,the combination of vitamin C, another antioxidant, with cysteine may help in obesity reduction associated with an insulin-resistant state.
what are the common deficiency symptoms of cysteine?
Stunted growth in children Fatigue Grey hair Skin lesions Liver dysfunction Reduced levels of protein in blood stream
what is the typical function of alanine?
Alanine’s most important role is assisting the body in the regulation of blood sugar levels. It has its greatest effect when the body is in a state of low sugar level. In such situations, alanine helps breakdown glucose molecules into usable energy and the liver uses alanine as an amino acid in the product of glucose. The liver increases glucose production when the hormone glucagon is secreted from the pancreas. This hormone can be stimulated by alanine.
what are the common deficiency symptoms of alanine?
In healthy humans, alanine deficiency is extremely uncommon.
Reports of deficiency and their symptoms are not clearly known however, alanine deficiency has been identified in some patients with diabetes, alcohol-induced hepatitis and low blood sugar level.
what is the typical function of glutamine?
Glutamine, when converted into glutamic acid, is essential for proper brain function. In glutamic acid form, it is able to adjust the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an important inhibitory neurotransmitter, in the brain. Glutamine is also needed as a building block for protein production and is utilized as fuel for certain immune system cells. Like several other amino acids, it also aids in the removal of ammonia from the brain, and in the metabolic process of ammonia.
what are the common deficiency symptoms of glutamine?
Glutamine deficiency is very rare but can occur in those who suffer from extensive burns, severe physical trauma, cirrhosis, starvation and in weight loss related AIDS and cancer.
what is the typical function of lysine?
One of lysine’s most important roles within the body is in the production of carnitine. It is needed to create carnitine which allows the body to convert fatty acids into usable energy. Lysine is also critical in the battle against viruses. Along with vitamin C, A, and zinc, it helps prevent the proliferation of virus cells and ultimately helps eliminate the presence of viruses. Other physiological processes that lysine is involved include the synthesis of collagen, enhanced absorption of calcium, general development and growth, as well as maintaining an adequate level of blood cholesterol.
what are the common deficiency symptoms of lysine?
Fatigue Nausea Loss of appetite Irritability Red eyes Stunted growth May contribute to kidney stones, anemia and reproductive disorders
what is the typical function of valine?
As part of the branched-chain amino acids group, valine is integral in preventing excess protein degradation in muscular protein and improves synthesis of muscle protein in order to aid in muscular rebuilding. Valine also has the added benefit of helping in the detoxification of excess ammonia. When used in a combination of phenylalanine-valine-methionine-tryptophan at a 3:2:2:1 ratio, it has been known to reduce food intake by 50% in obese women when taken at 4 gram doses before meals.
