Ch.6 Proteins and Amino Acids

Question 1

legumes

Answer 1

The starchy seeds of plants that produce bean pods, including peas, peanuts, beans, soybeans, and lentils.

Question 2

amino acids

Answer 2

The building blocks of proteins. Each contains an amino group, and a unique side chain.

Question 3

essential amino acids (aka indispensable amino acids)

Answer 3

Amino acids that cannot be synthesised by the body in sufficient amounts to meet its needs and therefore must be included in the diet.

Question 4

phenylketonuria (PKU)

Answer 4

A genetic disease in which the amino acid phenylalanine cannot be metabolised normally, causing it to build up in the blood

Question 5

polypeptide

Answer 5

A chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds that is part of the structure of a protein.

Question 6

denaturation

Answer 6

Alteration of a protein’s three-dimensional structure.

Question 7

amino acid pool

Answer 7

All the amino acids in body tissues and fluids that are available for use by the body.

Question 8

gene

Answer 8

A length of DNA that contains the information needed to synthesise a specific polypeptide chain.

Question 9

transamination

Answer 9

The process by which an amino group from one amino acid is transferred to a carbon compound to form a new amino acid.

Question 10

limiting amino acid

Answer 10

The essential amino acid that is available in the lowest concentration relative to the body’s needs.

Question 11

protein-energy malnutrition

Answer 11

A condition characterised by loss of muscle and fat mass and an increased susceptibility to infection that results from the long term consumption of insufficient amount of energy and/or protein to meet the body’s needs.

Question 12

kwashiorkor

Answer 12

A form of protein-energy malnutrition in which only protein is deficient.

Question 13

marasmus

Answer 13

A form of protein-energy malnutrition in which a deficiency of energy and protein in the diet causes severe body wasting.

Question 14

food allergy

Answer 14

An adverse immune response to a specific food protein.

Question 15

food intolerance or food sensitivity

Answer 15

An adverse reaction to a food that typically does not involve the production of antibodies by the immune system.

Question 16

celiac disease

Answer 16

A disorder that causes damage to the intestines when the protein gluten is eaten.

Question 17

nitrogen balance

Answer 17

The amount of nitrogen consumed in the diet compared with the amount excreted over a given period.

Question 18

protein complementation

Answer 18

The process of combining proteins from different sources so that they collectively provide the proportions of amino acids required to meet the body’s needs.

Question 19

vegetation diets

Answer 19

Diets that include plant-based foods and eliminate some or all foods of animal origin.

Question 20

vegan diets

Answer 20

Plant-based diets that eliminate all animal products.