Proteins Flashcards

1
Q

What is protein composed of

A
  • Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen atoms arranged into amino acids linked in a chain
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2
Q

Amino acid definition

A

Building blocks of proteins, each contain an amino group an acid group, a hydrogen atom and a distinctive side group attached to a central carbon atom

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3
Q

What is a dipeptide

A

2 amino acids bonded together

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4
Q

How many essential amino acids are there

A

9

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5
Q

What are the 9 essential amino acids

A
  • Histidine
  • Isoleucine
  • Leucine
  • Lysine
  • Methionine
  • Phenylalanine
  • Threonine
  • Tryptophan
  • Valine
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6
Q

What makes an amino acid essential

A

The body either cannot make at all or cannot make in sufficient quantity to meet its needs

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7
Q

Non-essential amino acids definition

A

The body can synthesise more than half of the amino acids for itself

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8
Q

Conditionally essential amino acids definition

A

Some non-essential amino acids can become essential under special circumstances

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9
Q

Examples of conditionally essential amino acids (4)

A
  • Arginine
  • Tyrosine
  • Glutamine
  • Glycine
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10
Q

Functions of protein (8)

A
  • Structural and mechanical
  • Transport
  • Channels and pumps
  • Acid base balance
  • Fluid balance
  • Antibodies
  • Hormones
  • Enzymes
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11
Q

Nitrogen balance

A

The difference between N intake and N losses (intake – losses)

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12
Q

Negative nitrogen balance

A

More nitrogen is lost than taken in:
- Injury
- Illness
- Starvation
- Inadequate protein intake
- Overtraining

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13
Q

Positive nitrogen balance

A

Intake exceeds output:
- Infants
- Pregnant women
- Those in recovery from illness, injury or starvation
- Athletes

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14
Q

Demination definition

A

Amino acids stripped of nitrogen

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15
Q

What does demination produce

A

Ammonia released into the bloodstream

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16
Q

Process of demination

A

The liver picks up the ammonia, converts it into urea which is transported in the blood then filtered out by the kidneys

17
Q

How does the body use amino acids for energy

A

When glucose and fatty acids are in short supply, we can use protein for energy (Gluconeogenesis)

18
Q

RNI for protein

A
  • Percentages of daily intake
  • RNI = 0.75g/kgBW
  • Certain populations require more
19
Q

What is the RNI of protein

A

0.75g/kgBW

20
Q

Protein quality

A

Depends on the amino acids that are present, but also the digestibility of the food, and the needs of the individual

21
Q

Protein digestion in the mouth

A

Proteins are crushed and moistened by saliva in the mouth

22
Q

Protein digestion in the stomach

A

Hydrochloric acid denatures each proteins tangled structure so that digestive enzymes can access the peptide bonds

23
Q

Protein digestion in the small intestine

A

When polypeptides enter the small intestine, pancreatic and intestinal proteases hydrolyse them further into short peptide chains, tripeptides, dipeptides and amino acids

24
Q

Absorption of protein

A

The cells of the small intestine absorb amino acids and have peptidase enzymes on their surfaces that split most of the dipeptides and tripeptides into single amino acids

25
Q

Protein synthesis

A

Building of new proteins

26
Q

Muscle protein balance

A

Increase in muscle protein synthesis (MPS) or decrease in muscle protein breakdown (MPB) leading to a positive balance and thus muscle hypertrophy

27
Q

Leucine intake

A

Leucine is important for triggering Muscle Protein Synthesis throughout the motor pathway

28
Q

Protein energy malnutrition (PEM)

A

It mainly affects young children and is the result if both too little energy and too little protein in the diet

29
Q

What are the 2 extreme forms of PEM

A
  1. Marasmus
  2. Kwashiorkor
30
Q

Marasmus

A

Severe deprivation of food, energy, vitamins and minerals over a long period

31
Q

Kwashiorkor

A

Sudden and recent deprivation of food

32
Q

What is the current intake of protein for adults aged 19-64 years old

A

76.0 g/day

33
Q

Anabolic resistance

A

Anabolic resistance refers to the phenomenon whereby older adults require a higher dose of protein to achieve the same response in MPS as a younger adult

34
Q

What are the protein requirements for older adults

A

40-60% more protein per meal to experience the same rate of protein synthesis as younger adults

35
Q

Protein and bone health

A
  • Bone matrix is largely made up of protein
  • Protein may decrease the risk of fractures etc