Chapter 6: Proteins Flashcards
what are amino acids?
- building blocks of proteins
what is the difference between plant and animal proteins in terms of building body proteins?
plant proteins are not used as efficiently as animal protein
what are attributes of animal proteins?
- high in vitamin B and minerals
- low in fibre
- high in saturated fat and cholesterol
what are attributes of plant proteins?
- low in iron, zinc, and calcium
- high in fibre, phytochemicals, and unsaturated fat
what is the structure of amino acids?
- carbon atom bound to a hydrogen atom
- amino group containing nitrogen
- acid group
- side chain
what is the function of nitrogen in amino acids?
- distinguishing factor from carbs and lipids
- inefficient for body to use for energy because it must to broken down
what are essential amino acids?
- “indispensable amino acids”
- can’t be made by the body in sufficient amounts
- must be consumed in the diet
- 9 essential amino acids
what are non-essential amino acids?
- amino acids that can be made in the body
- 11 non-essential amino acids
what are conditionally essential amino acids?
non-essential amino acids that can’t be made in sufficient amounts
what is phenylketonuria (KPU)?
- a genetic disease where phenylalanine can’t be metabolized properly causing build up in the blood
- can result in brain damage
what is a protein’s structure?
amino acids linked by peptide bonds which joins acid group to amino group
what are polypeptides?
chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds
what is denaturation?
alteration of protein’s 3D structure
what are the 7 steps of protein digestion and absorption?
step 1: chewing begins mechanical breakdown of protein
step 2: in stomach, hydrochloric acids and pepsin begins chemical digestion of protein
step 3: in small intestines, pancreas secretes protein-digesting enzymes to break down polypeptides into amino acids, dipeptides, and tripeptides
step 4: transport proteins move amino acids, dipeptides, and tripeptides into mucosal cells
step 5: dipeptides, tripeptides enter mucosal cells, once inside are broken down into single amino acids
step 6: amino acids from mucosal cells > blood > liver > body
step 7: dietary protein excreted in feces
what is a negative affect of amino acid supplements?
amino acid supplements can clog transport system, reducing absorption of other amino acids that use the same transport system
what are amino acid pools?
amino acids in body tissue and fluids available for use by body
what are genes?
segments of DNA that contains information to synthesize a specific chain
what is transamination?
process in which an amino group is transferred to a carbon compound to form a new amino acid