Chapter 5: Protein Flashcards
Ammonia
A toxic metabolic waste product produced from the metabolism of nitrogen-contaning compounds like protein and amino acids.
Uric acid
A toxic metabolic waste product filtered by the kidneys as a result of the metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds
Amino acids
An organic compound used as a precursor for other molecules in the body.
Peptide bond
The bond that links amino acids together to form a protein.
Urea Cycle
The metabolic process in which ammonia is converted to the waste product urea.
Neurotransmitter
The molecule that transmits a signal across the synapse between two neurons.
Peptides
Compounds consisting of 2 or more amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.
Dehydration reaction
A chemical reaction that forms a bond and releases a molecule of water in the process.
Hormones
Signaling molecules secreted by an endocrine organ or gland.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
The large molecule in the cell nucleus that contains the cell’s genetic blueprint and determines how the cell will develop.
Simple Protein
A protein made up of only amino acid subunits.
Conjugated protein
A protein that includes amino acids as well as one or more non-amino acid units.
Growth hormone
A hormone released from the pituitary gland to stimulate growth, cell regeneration and repair, and cell reproduction. GH also acts homeostatically to increase blood glucose levels.
Ribonucleic acid
The substance that carries the coded genetic information from the DNA in the cell nucleus to the ribosomes, where the instructions are translated into the form of protein signaling molecules.
Essential Amino Acids
Amino acids the body is unable to make and that must be consumed nutritionally.
Non-essential amino acids
Amino acids the body can make on its own and that do not need to be consumed.
Conditional amino acids
Amino acids we are able to make, but special populations or circumstances may warrant inclusion in the diet.
Precursors
Intermediate substances in the body’s production of another substance.
Nitric oxide
A free radical that increases blood flow through vasodilation
Branched-chain amino acids
Amino acids with chemically branched R groups. they are used for energy during strenuous physical activities.
Histamine
A compound and neurotransmitter involved in local immune response and in regulation of functions in the digestive tract.
Carnosine
A dipeptide made of alanine and histidine, present in large amounts in muscle and brain tissue.
Carnitine
An amino acid derivative found mostly in muscle tissue that helps the body use fat for energy.
Transmethylation
The metabolic process in which an amino acid donates a methyl group to another compound.
Cholecystokinin
The hormone that is thought to be responsible for signaling fullness after eating.
Limiting nutrients
A nutrient that limits reactions, functions, and use of other nutrients because it is absent or limited.
Complete proteins
A protein with the essential amino acids in the sufficient amounts
Incomplete proteins
A protein that is deficient in one or more of the essential amino acids.
Pepsin
An enzyme released in the stomach that breaks proteins down to smaller peptides and free amino acids.
Chyme
The mass of partially digested food and gastric juices that moves from the stomach to the small intestine.
Protease
An enzyme that is produced in the pancreas and plays a large role in the digestion of protein, primarily in the small intestine.
Chymotrypsin
A digestive enzyme secreted by the pancreas and converted to an active form by trypsin. it breaks down proteins in the small intestine.
Trypsin
An enzyme that breaks down and digests protein in the small intestine.
Calories in one gram of protein
4 kcals
