Chapter 2 (pt. 2: amino acids and protein) Flashcards
What are the monomers of proteins?
Amino acids.
How many different amino acids exist?
20
What are the three important functional groups attached to the central carbon atom of an amino acid?
1) Amino group (—NH2), 2) Acidic carboxyl group (—COOH), 3) Side chain (R group).
How are the amino and carboxyl groups of amino acids affected at normal body pH?
They are both ionized.
What gives each amino acid its distinctive chemical identity?
The different side chains (R groups).
What distinguishes glycine among amino acids?
It is the simplest amino acid, with a side chain that is just a hydrogen atom.
What is unique about cysteine?
It contains sulfur in its side chain and is one of only two amino acids with this element.
Describe the structure of tyrosine.
It has a side chain that contains a six-carbon aromatic ring.
What characteristic does lysine have?
It has an additional amino group at the end of its side chain, which gives it basic properties.
What are structural proteins?
Proteins that form the framework of body parts.
Give two examples of structural proteins and their locations.
Collagen (in bones and connective tissues) and keratin (in skin, hair, and nails).
What do regulatory proteins do?
They act as hormones and neurotransmitters to regulate body processes and growth.
Name two examples of regulatory proteins and their functions.
Insulin (regulates blood glucose) and Substance P (mediates pain).
What is the function of contractile proteins?
They enable muscle contraction and movement.
Give two examples of contractile proteins.
Myosin and actin.
What are immunological proteins responsible for?
They help protect the body from foreign substances and pathogens.
Name two examples of immunological proteins.
Antibodies and interleukins.
What is the role of transport proteins?
They carry essential substances throughout the body.
Provide an example of a transport protein.
Hemoglobin (transports oxygen and carbon dioxide).
What are catalytic proteins also known as?
Enzymes
Name two examples of catalytic proteins.
Salivary amylase and sucrase.
How are proteins synthesized?
By sequentially joining amino acids through peptide bonds.
Describe how a peptide bond is formed.
A covalent bond forms between the carbon in the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the nitrogen in the amino group of another, releasing a molecule of water (dehydration synthesis).
What is the process of breaking a peptide bond called?
Hydrolysis reaction, as seen during protein digestion.
What are essential (indispensable) amino acids?
Amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the human body in sufficient amounts and must be included in the diet.
Why are essential amino acids important?
necessary for various bodily functions and must come from dietary sources.
What are nonessential (dispensable) amino acids?
Amino acids that can be synthesized by the human body in sufficient amounts to meet its needs.
What is leucine and where can it be found?
Leucine is an essential amino acid found in dairy products that the body cannot synthesize on its own.
Can nonessential amino acids be obtained from the diet?
Yes, while the body can synthesize them, they can also be obtained through dietary sources.
Why is it important to consume essential amino acids?
They are necessary for building muscle and various bodily functions.
What is the benefit of consuming nonessential amino acids?
While the body can synthesize them, consuming them can still contribute to overall amino acid intake.
Which amino acid is most essential for muscle protein synthesis?
Leucine
Should branch-chain amino acids be a focus in supplementation?
While not as beneficial for some goals, prioritizing essential amino acids like leucine for muscle building is important.
How many essential amino acids are there?
9 essential amino acids.
How many non-essential amino acids are there?
11 non-essential amino acids.
What are conditionally essential amino acids?
Amino acids that can be produced by the body but are better obtained through diet during certain conditions.
How many conditionally essential amino acids are there?
3 conditionally essential amino acids.
Why might conditionally essential amino acids be important to consume?
During times of stress, illness, or recovery, the body’s demand may exceed its ability to produce them.
what does each amino acid contain?
Each amino acid contains a central carbon atom bound to a hydrogen atom, an amino group, an acid group, and a side chain.
what is the amino acid pool?
All of the amino acids in body tissues and fluids that are available for use by the body.
what is protein turnover?
The continuous synthesis and breakdown of body proteins.
What is the amino acid pool used for?
The amino acid pool is used to synthesize protein and non-protein molecules.
Where does the amino acid pool come from?
The amino acid pool comes from dietary proteins and the breakdown of existing body proteins.
How can amino acids be utilized for energy?
Amino acids can be broken down for energy.
Besides energy, what else can amino acids be used to synthesize?
Amino acids can be used to synthesize glucose or fatty acids.
What non-protein molecules can be synthesized from amino acids?
Amino acids can be used to synthesize non-protein molecules such as DNA or RNA.
Can the body store amino acids like glucose or fatty acids?
No, the body cannot store amino acids like glucose or fatty acids; they can only be stored as body proteins, which are continuously broken down and used.
function of protein in the body:
Proteins give structure to the body, regulate processes, provide protection, assist in muscle contraction, transport substances, and serve as enzymes
What is a peptide bond?
A peptide bond is a chemical bond that links amino acids together.
How is a peptide bond formed?
A peptide bond is formed between the acid group of one amino acid and the nitrogen group of the next amino acid.
What is a dipeptide bond?
A dipeptide bond is a bond formed between two amino acids.
What is a polypeptide?
A polypeptide is a chain formed from many amino acids (10 or more).
What is a protein made of?
A protein is made of one or more polypeptide chains folded into a three-dimensional shape, which determines its function.
How is a dipeptide formed?
A dipeptide is formed when two amino acids combine.
What happens when more amino acids are added to a dipeptide?
Adding more amino acids creates tripeptides, chain-like peptides (4–9 amino acids), or polypeptides (10–2000+ amino acids).
What is the structure of a small protein?
Small proteins consist of a single polypeptide chain with a minimum of 50 amino acids.
What is the structure of larger proteins?
Larger proteins can have hundreds or thousands of amino acids and may comprise multiple folded polypeptide chains.
How does the variation in amino acid number or sequence affect proteins?
Each variation in the number or sequence of amino acids results in a different protein.