Proteins and amino acids Flashcards
what are amino acids made up of?
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen
what are the functions of amino acids?
build, repair, and replace body proteins
what are the two groups of amino acids?
nonessential and essential
nonessential amino acids
can be synthesized by the body to meet the body’s need if adequate nitrogen is available
essential amino acids
can’t be synthesized by the body so they need to be included in diet
ex: taurine
why should a diet include various protein sources
different sources have different amino acids in them so an animal should be getting a mixture of plant and animal proteins
what happens to excess amino acids
they are stored as fat and may be used for energy later
is there a perfect protein source?
no
how does proteins play a role in palatability?
diets with higher proteins are more palatable
high quality proteins
highly digestible and contain all essential amino acids in their proper proportions
low quality proteins
have lower digestibility and are deficient in one or more essential amino acids
contractile proteins
myosin, actin
involved in regulated muscle action
what are proteins’ role in blood?
hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen around the body
proteins are the major structural components of…?
hair, feathers, nails, skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage
what are proteins’ role in the immune system?
they make antibodies
