Chapter 6 Vocabulary Flashcards
Compounds in your body that consist of numerous amino acids and are found in all living cells
Proteins
The building blocks of protein. Contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Composed of an acid group, an amine group. and a unique side chain
Amino acids
The COOH group that is part of every amino acid; also called a carboxyl group
Acid group
The nitrogen-containing part (NH2) of an amino acid
Amine group
The side group of an amino acid that provides it with its unique qualities; also referred to as the R group
Side chain
The bonds that connect amino acids; created when the acid group of one amino acid is joined with the nitrogen-containing amine group of another amino acid
Peptide bonds
The nine amino acids that the body cannot synthesize’ they must be obtained through dietary sources
Essential amino acids
The eleven amino acids that the body can synthesize
Nonessential amino acids
Nonessential amino acids that become essential if the body cannot make them, such as during bouts of illness
Conditionally essential amino acids
A substance that is converted to another substance in the body
Precursor
The alteration of a protein’s shape, which changes the structure and function of the protein
Denaturation
A limited supple of amino acids stored in your blood and cells and used to build new proteins
Amino acid pools
The continual process of degrading and synthsizing protein. When the daily amount of degraded protein is equivalent to the amount that is synthesized, you are in protein balance
Protein turnover
A nitrogen-containing waste product that is excreted in urine
Urea
The blueprint in cells that stores all the genetic information. Remains in the nucleus of the cell and directs the synthesis of proteins
DNA
A DNA segment that codes for a specific protein
Gene
A molecule that carries out the orders of DNA
RNA
A type of RNA that copies the genetic information encoded in DNA and carries it out of the nucleus of the cell to synthesize the protein
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
A type of RNA that collects the amino acids within the cell that are needed to make a specific protein
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
A blood disorder caused by a genetic defect in the development of hemoglobin. Causes the red blood calls to distort into a sickle shape and can damage organs and tissues
Sickle-cell anemia
A ropelike, fibrous protein that is the most abundant protein in the body
Collagen
The most abundant tissue in the body. Made up primarily of collagen, it supports and connects body parts as well as providing protection and insulation
Connective tissue
Substances that act as catalysts and speed up reactions
Enzymes
Substances that aid and speed up reactions without being changes, damaged, or used up in the process
Catalysts
Substances, often vitamins, that are needed by enzymes to perform many chemical reactions in your body
Coenzyme
Protein- or lipid-based chemical messengers that initiate or direct a specific physiological response. Insulin, glucagon, and estrogen are all examples
Hormones
The equal distribution of water throughout you body and with and between cells
Fluid balance
The accumulation of excess fluid in the spaces surrounding your cells, which causes swelling of body tissue
Edema
Substances that help maintain the proper pH in a solution by attracting or donating hydrogen ions
Buffers
Proteins that carry lipids (fats and cholesterol), oxygen, waste products, and vitamins through the blood to various organs and tissues, or that serve as channels to allow substances to pass through cell membranes
Transport proteins
Proteins made by your body to bind and neutralize foreign invaders, such as harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, as part of the body’s immune response
Antibodies
The state of having built up antibodies to a particular foreign substance so that when particles of the substance enter the body, they are destroyed by the antibodies
Immunity
The state in which an individual is consuming the same amount of nitrogen (from protein) in the diet as he or she is excreting in the urine
Nitrogen balance
The measure of a protein’s digestability and how it’s amino acid pattern compares with your body’s needs. Proteins that are more easily digested and have a complete set of amino acids are of higher quality.
Protein quality
A food’s capacity to be broken down so tha tit can be absorbed
Digestability
The types and amounts of amino acids in a protein
Amino acid profile
A protein that provides all the essential amino acids that your body needs, along with some nonessential amino acids. Soy protein and protein from animal sources, in general, are examples
Complete protein
A protein that is low in one or more of the essential amino acids. Protein from plant sources tend to be examples
Incomplete amino acids
The amino acid that is in the shortest supply in an incomplete protein
Limiting amino acid
Incomplete proteins that are combined with modest amounts of animal or soy proteins that are rich in the limiting amino acids to create a complete protein
Complemented proteins
A score measured as a percentage that takes into account both digestibility and amino acid profile and gives a good indication of the quality of a protein
Protein digestability corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS)
A lack of sufficient dietary protein and/or calories
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)
A state of PEM where there is severe deficiency of dietary protein
Kwashiorkor
A state of PRM where there is a severe deficiency of calories that perpetuates wasting; also called starvation
Marasmus
A person who doesn’t eat meat, fish, or poultry or (sometimes) foods made from these animal sources
Vegetarians
Naturally occurring phytoestrogens, or weak plant estrogens, that function in a fashion similar to the hormone estrogen in the human body
Isoflavones
the hormone responsible for female sex characteristics
Estrogen
