April 9: Meeting Protein Needs and Food Choices & Calories Flashcards
What does the stomach do during digestion?
It denatures protein structure
Why is the pancreas important in digestion?
It secretes the protease enzyme which breaks the peptide bonds between amino acids
Protein turnover
The process in which a protein is made and then broken down again into individual amino acids.
Why is protein turnover useful?
It allows the body to adapt to changing needs for specific proteins
There are fast, medium, and slow turnover proteins. Give examples of each in the human body
Fast turnover proteins are in the intestine and immune system. Medium turnover proteins are in the muscle, skin, and red blood cells. Slow turnover proteins are in the brain and central nervous system.
What proteins don’t turn over?
Hair, nails, skin cells, and stool.
What happens if you eat too much protein?
Your body will excrete the extra nitrogen in it in urine. It can also convert the protein to fat.
What are the consequences of protein deficiency in early development?
Protein deficiency at this stage can result in intellectual disability and stunting of growth. This is when a protein deficiency is most damaging
What are the consequences of protein deficiency in later development?
Protein deficiency at this stage can result in edema (fluid balance disrupted), intestinal problems, distended abdomen (fatty liver), and infections
Why might someone develop a protein deficiency?
Kwashiorkor and protein-energy undernutrition (PEU)
Kwashiorkor
Often seen in first-born children after they are weaned from breast milk and given poor sources of protein. Often marked by a swollen stomach at around the age of 5
Protein-energy undernutrition (PEU)
Not getting enough calories and protein, which can cause severe wasting of muscle and fat due to the body breaking itself down for fuel
