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protein Flashcards

1
Q

What elements are proteins made of?

A

carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms.
Some also contain sulfur atoms.

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2
Q

How are proteins arranged?

A

amino acids linked in a chain.

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3
Q

What are the two main groups in an amino acid?

A

basic (amino) group (-NH₂)
acidic (carboxyl) group (-COOH).

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4
Q

What is the distinguishing feature of amino acids?

A

amine group, which is the body’s source of nitrogen.

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5
Q

What are the building units that make up proteins?

A

Amino acids

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6
Q

How many amino acids are used to make up the chemical structure of proteins?

A

20

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7
Q

How many amino acids are typically linked together in a protein?

A

100

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8
Q

What is a peptide bond?

A

bond that connects the acid end of one amino acid with the amino group of another, forming a link in a protein chain.

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9
Q

What is the amino acid sequence for hemoglobin?

A

V-H-L-T-P-G-G.

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10
Q

What is the amino acid sequence for sickle-cell hemoglobin?

A

V-H-L-T-P-V-G.

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11
Q

What causes the difference between hemoglobin and sickle-cell hemoglobin?

A

The difference is caused by a single amino acid substitution: glycine (G) is replaced by valine (V).

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12
Q

What does “indispensable amino acid” mean?

A

required in the diet because the body cannot synthesize them.

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13
Q

How many indispensable amino acids are there?

A

9:
Histidine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine

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14
Q

What are dispensable amino acids?

A

they are essential for the body, can be made from essential amino acids, so not required in the diet

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15
Q

How many dispensable amino acids are there? AAAGS

A

5:
Alanine
Aspartic Acid
Asparagine
Glutamic Acid
Serine

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16
Q

What are conditionally indispensable amino acids?

A

normally dispensable but become indispensable in certain nutritional, disease stages, or developmental conditions.

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17
Q

What is an example of a conditionally indispensable amino acid?

A

In phenylketonuria (PKU), phenylalanine cannot be converted to tyrosine, making tyrosine conditionally indispensable.

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18
Q

What defines a high-quality protein?

A

provides all 9 indispensable amino acids in amounts adequate to maintain nitrogen balance and support growth.

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19
Q

What defines a low-quality protein?

A

lacks sufficient quantities of one or more indispensable amino acids for optimal protein synthesis.

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20
Q

Can low-quality proteins support life and growth?

A

can support life but not normal growth. Other proteins are needed to support normal growth.

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21
Q

What are some plant sources of low-quality protein?

A

Legumes
Peas
Beans
Grains
Nuts

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22
Q

What are some animal sources of high-quality protein?

A

Chicken
Pork
Beef
Eggs
Lamb/veal
Turkey/Duck/Wild Game
All seafood

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23
Q

How can a complete protein be made from low-quality protein foods?

A

combining two low-quality protein foods in the same meal.

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24
Q

Give an example of a combination that creates a complete protein.

A

Rice and beans, or macaroni and cheese

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25
Q

Can the body combine proteins eaten in separate meals to form a complete protein?

A

Yes, the body can combine proteins eaten a few hours apart to form a complete protein.

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26
Q

Give an example of combining proteins from different meals.

A

Cereal and milk

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27
Q

What is nitrogen balance?

A

the balance of reactions in which protein substances are broken down and rebuilt.

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28
Q

What happens in nitrogen balance for healthy individuals?

A

When nitrogen consumed equals the amount of nitrogen excreted

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29
Q

What is positive nitrogen balance?

A

when more nitrogen is absorbed than excreted by the body.

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30
Q

What are some conditions that can cause positive nitrogen balance?

A

Rapid growth
Pregnancy
Lactation
Illness
Infants
Tissue repair
Recovering from protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)
Athletic training
Medications

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31
Q

What is negative nitrogen balance?

A

when the body excretes more nitrogen than it absorbs.

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32
Q

What are some conditions that can cause negative nitrogen balance?

A

Rapid weight loss
Illness/Infection
Fever
Starvation/diet
Emotional stress
Burns
Injuries
Inadequate protein intake
Inadequate energy intake

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33
Q

what are the Primary Roles of Protein In the Body?

A
  1. Growth and Maintenance
  2. Repair
  3. Enzymes and Hormones
  4. Regulation of Fluid Balance
  5. Resistance to disease: Antibodies
  6. Transportation
  7. Energy
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34
Q

When is the body’s need for protein increased?

A

during periods of growth (infancy, childhood, adolescence, and pregnancy) and during recovery from illness, surgery, burns, fever, or SRP (scaling and root planing).

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35
Q

Why is protein important during growth and maintenance?

A

is needed to build new tissue during growth and healing, and it is in every cell, including connective tissue, teeth, bone matrix, eye lens, and muscles.

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36
Q

What body parts can indicate protein deficiencies during an examination?

A

Hair and fingernails are constantly growing and can indicate possible protein deficiencies during an extraoral examination (EOE).

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37
Q

Why must body proteins be continuously replaced?

A

constantly being broken down, so they need to be replaced to maintain bodily functions and structure.

38
Q

What are some activities or situations that can require protein replacement due to breakdown?

A

Lifting weights
Floss injury (floss clefts)
Palatal trauma from eating hard or rough-textured foods (chips, pretzels, nuts)

39
Q

What essential compounds are proteins part of?

A

enzymes, hormones, and other body secretions.

40
Q

What is collagen, and what role does it play in the body?

A

protein found in connective tissue that helps support body structures like skin, bones, teeth, and tendons.

41
Q

What is the enzyme for carbohydrate digestion in the oral cavity?

A

amylase

42
Q

What protein stimulates the release of insulin?

A

glucagon

43
Q

How do proteins regulate fluid balance in the body?

A

Proteins dissolved in water attract water molecules. For example, blood albumin draws water from interstitial fluid or cells to maintain blood volume.

44
Q

What happens during protein deficiency in relation to fluid balanc

A

causes a loss of osmotic balance, leading to an accumulation of interstitial fluid (edema).

45
Q

are antibiotics proteins?

A

yes

46
Q

What happens to the immune system with low protein levels?

A

weaken the immune response, making it harder to fight bacteria and other harmful organisms.

47
Q

How do proteins help with fat transportation in the body?

A

enable insoluble fats to be transported through the blood.

48
Q

What other substances do proteins help transport in the body?

A

lipids, vitamins, minerals, and oxygen

49
Q

Is energy a main function of protein?

A

No, but it is used when carbohydrate and fat stores have been used and body needs energy

or

when Indispensable amino acids are not available to create new proteins

50
Q

What happens to protein-rich food in the mouth?

A

mashed into smaller parts as it is chewed in the mouth, then swallowed.

51
Q

What breaks apart protein molecules in the stomach?

A

Hydrochloric acid and pepsin

52
Q

What process occurs in the small intestine during protein digestion?

A

Hydrolysis, where enzymes like trypsin and chymotrypsin break proteins down into single amino acids

53
Q

What is the final product of protein digestion?

A

single amino acids.

54
Q

What happens to digested proteins after they pass through the intestinal villi?

A

carried by the blood to the liver.

55
Q

What does the liver do with amino acids?

A

use them for protein synthesis and can remove the amine group to use carbon chains for fuel.

56
Q

what are the symptoms of protein deficiency?

A

Anemia

Lowered resistance to infection

Edema

Brittle and slow-growing hair and nails

Scaly appearance to skin with sores that will not heal

57
Q

who is at risk of protein deficiency?

A
  • elderly individuals (cost of food, inability to prepare meals, depression)
  • individuals with low income
  • strict vegetarians or vegans
  • individuals with lack of education or who are unwilling to shop wisely
  • patients who are chronically ill or hospitalized
58
Q

What is sarcopenia?

A

is the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength with aging, often considered a normal condition for elderly individuals.

59
Q

What are the benefits of high-quality protein intake for muscle health?

A

helps promote and maintain muscle mass, maintaining mobility and body weight and preventing sarcopenia and osteoporosis

60
Q

What is Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM)?

A

When people are deprived of protein, energy or both.

61
Q

Can PEM be chronic or acute?

A

either or

62
Q

Where is PEM most prevalent globally?

A

Africa, Central America, South America, East and Southeast Asia

63
Q

Where in the U.S. is PEM commonly found?

A

homeless people, inner cities and rural areas

64
Q

What is marasmus?

A

severe malnutrition caused by near or total starvation due to a lack of calories and high-quality protein.

65
Q

What are the main dietary causes of marasmus?

A

caused by a diet low in calories, where protein is used for energy instead of building and repairing tissues or maintaining immune function.

66
Q

When does marasmus often occur?

A

often occurs during periods of physiological stress

67
Q

What are the key characteristics of marasmus?

A

is characterized by muscle wasting and the absence of subcutaneous fat.

68
Q

What causes kwashiorkor?

A

Caused from a lack of high-quality protein in the diet but adequate caloric intake

69
Q

Who is most affected by kwashiorkor?

A

Affects mainly children

70
Q

What is a common physical sign of kwashiorkor?

A

Appear pot-bellied

71
Q

What type of nitrogen balance is associated with kwashiorkor?

A

Negative nitrogen balance

72
Q

Where is kwashiorkor and marasmus commonly seen?

A

Seen in developing countries or those with food security issues

73
Q

Can we predict what a protein supplement will do in the body?

A

No; the body uses it based on its needs at the time of consumption.

74
Q

Will protein supplements automatically build body mass?

A

No

75
Q

Who has higher protein needs, athletes or non-athletes?

A

Athletes

76
Q

How can excess amino acids be used by the body?

A

used for energy during intense physical activity when carbohydrates are lacking.

77
Q

How much protein should be consumed per meal to optimize skeletal muscle synthesis?

A

20g-30g of protein per meal

78
Q

How can older adults and those trying to lose weight benefit from protein distribution?

A

by distributing protein intake throughout the day and especially not omitting protein at breakfast

79
Q

How does malnutrition affect healing and infections?

A

Malnourished patients take longer to heal, regain strength, and are at higher risk for frequent infections. Adequate infection control procedures are important for these patients.

80
Q

What resources can be suggested for older patients with an inadequate diet?

A

Suggest Meals on Wheels or community senior centers

81
Q

How can dietary protein be supplemented in meals?

A

by adding skim milk powder to milk, soup, or mashed potatoes, and by incorporating cheeses into food.

82
Q

How can a high-protein breakfast assist with weight management?

A

can help prevent body fat gain and increase satiety (feeling of fullness)

83
Q

What are some good high-protein, low-fat food choices?

A

fish, skinless chicken, low-fat dairy products, and lean beef and pork.

84
Q

What happens when protein intake exceeds 200% of the RDA?

A

increases the work of the liver and kidneys, potentially stressing these organs.

85
Q

How does protein deficiency affect oral health?

A

can affect the synthesis of oral tissues and structures, making them weaker.

86
Q

How does protein deficiency impact the immune system?

A

increases susceptibility to oral and other types of infections.

87
Q

What is the effect of protein deficiency on wound healing?

A

can impede wound healing, slowing recovery after dental procedures.

88
Q

How does the chemical structure of proteins differ from the structures of carbohydrates?

A

proteins contain nitrogen atoms in their building blocks (amino acids), while carbohydrates only contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms

89
Q

What factors affect the quality of dietary protein? What is a high quality protein?

A

9 indispensable amino acids of adequate amounts to maintain nitrogen balance and permit growth

If one is insufficient then it is a low quality protein

90
Q

How would a protein deficiency affect dental health?

A

Affect the synthesis of oral tissues and structures
Increases susceptibility to oral and other types of infections.
Impede wound healing

91
Q

Discuss the difference between Marasmus and Kwashiorkor?

A

marasmus: due to a lack of calories and high-quality protein
kwashiorkor: lack of high-quality protein in the diet but adequate caloric intake

nutrition (8 decks)

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