Chapter 6 Flashcards
proteins
compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen; arranged as strands of amino acids
amino acids
building blocks of protein
amine group
nitrogen-containing portion of amino acid
side chain
unique chemical structure attached to the backbone of each amino acid that differentiates one amino acid from another
essential amino acids
amino acids that either cannot by synthesized at all by the body or cannot be synthesized in amounts sufficient to meet physiological needs
conditionally essential amino acids
amino acids that is normally nonessential but must be supplied by the diet in special circumstances when the need for it exceeds the body’s ability to produce it
peptide bonds
bond that connects one amino acid with another, forming a link in a protein chain
polypeptide
protein fragments of many amino acids bonded together
collagen
type of body protein from which connective tissues such as scars, tendons, ligaments, and the foundations of bones and teeth are made
enzymes
proteins that facilitate chemical reactions without being changed in the process
hemoglobin
globular protein of red blood cells whose iron atoms carry oxygen around the body via the bloodstream
denaturation
irreversible change in a protein’s folded shape brought about by heat, acids, alcohol, salts of heavy metals, or other agents
dipeptides
protein fragments that are two amino acids long
tripeptides
protein fragments that are three amino acids long
hormones
chemical messengers secreted by a number of body organs in response to conditions that require regulation