Nitrogen Flashcards
What do amino acids and nucleotides contain that carbs and fat doesn’t?
Nitrogen
How do we get the nitrogen we need?
Through our diet.
Why is there no need to replace some proteins?
They get ‘turned over’.
WEhat is dietary fibre digested to form?
Amino acids used for metabolic pathways.
Can the body store excess protein? If so, where. If not, what happens?
No.
Surplus protein has to be catalysed.
What do enzymes do to proteins?
Act as a biological catalyst and break them down into amino acids.
Which enzyme cuts protein into peptides in the stomach?
Pepsin.
Trypsin and chymotrypsin cut proteins and larger peptides into smaller peptides in…?
The small intestine.
Which enzymes then degrade peptides into amino acids in the small intestine?
Aminopeptidase and carboxypeptidases A and B
What is the primary role of amino acids?
Building blocks for proteins.
Name two essential amino acids.
Leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, valine.
What cycle removes excess nitrogen from the body?
Urea cycle.
What are intracellular proteins broekn down into?
Amino acids.
Just read this lol i love this guy
Dietary fibre broken down, intracellular proteins broken down, big pool of amino acids, some of which form proteins, some of which is gotten rid of xoxoxox
Amino acids can be targeted for destruction if…?
They are misfolded, foreign or unwanted as they all end up as individual amino acids.
How do people get enzyme deficiency?
Usually genetically inherited.
Describe the basic process of a metabolic pathway.
Metabolic pathways pass molecules on from one to another. If anything is wrong and stops something getting passed on, this can impact the amount of product produced.
If there is a block in a metabolic pathway, what happens?
There is a build up and molecules go down a side pathway.
What is PKU?
Absence/deficiency of enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase.
It’s inherited b7y autosomal inheritance.
Associated w high phenylalanine levels which can be toxic.
How can PKU be treated?
If it is diagnosed in the early stages, it can be treated effiecently.
How can PKU be treated?
If it is diagnosed in the early stages, it can be treated efficiently.
When is neonatal screening for PKU?
Five days after birth (once the metabolic pathways have been established and have been tested out).
What are some symptoms of PKU?
-Often normal at birth w normal blood Phe levels.
-Phe levels may rise when feeding is established.
-Days 3-4 may present w irritability and feeding difficulties.
If PKU is untreated, hwo long will it take to be noticed and by what features?
Six months- delayed mental development and neurological features are evident by six months.
What is the treatment for PKU?
Regulated low protein diet w a protein supplement.
Vitamins are monitored and trace element status.
What can happen if ammonia levels are too high?
Brain damage.
What can happen to ammonia?
Be used to make other amino acids or get transported to the urea system.
Describe the urea cycle simply.
Ammonia goes in (harmful), urea comes out (harmless).
If ammonia levels are too high, waht is this?
MEDICAL EMERGENCY… WILL NOT WAIT. GET A METABOLIC EXPERT.
Name three potential dangers of high ammonia.
Neurological damage, seizures, death.
