Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Domain 1- Food & Nutrition > Proteins > Flashcards

Proteins Flashcards

From Encyclopedia of Healing Foods

1
Q

Most plentiful component in body after water

A

Protein

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Proteins make up

A

hair, muscles, nails, tendons, ligaments, and other body structures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Proteins also function as

A

enzymes, hormones, and components of other cells such as genes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Human body contains between ____ and ______ unique proteins

A

30000 and 50000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Building blocks of proteins

A

amino acids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

during a single day, how much protein is broken down into amino acids and reassembled into new proteins

A

about a pound of an adult’s body protein

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Protein turnover allows us to

A

grow, heal, remodel, internally defend ourselves on a continual basis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Amino acids our body can’t make

A

Essential amino acids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

RDA for protein is based on

A

bodyweight

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

RDA requirement for protein is

A

.36g per lb

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Conditions that require more protein

A

childhood/adolesence, pregnancy, lactation, intense strength and endurance training, elderly, and some diseases such as AIDS and cancer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

High protein diet requirements

A

.8g per lb

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Negative effects of high protein

A

excess protein can become burden for kidney and liver

increases use of amino acids as a daily energy source, which decreases the breakdown and utilization of fat for energy = increased body fat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Two most common forms of protein deficiency

A

marasmus & kwashiorkor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Marasmus

A

mainly in infants under 1 yr old who are weaned off breastfeeding into a diet that is too few calories or too little protein

Child becomes severely underweight, weak, lethargic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Kwashiorkor

A

often in older children who have been weaned onto a diet high in starchy foods but a diet still too low in calories and protein

severely underweight, edema = face moon-shaped and arms and legs plump, thin discolored hair, patches of scaly skin and variable pigmentation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Amino acids compounds

A

compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and in some cases sulfur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

All amino acids are made up of…

A

an acid group and an amino group attached to a carbon atom

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Essential amino acids

A

9-10

  • arginine, *histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine
  • only essential during growth
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Quality of a protein source depends on

A

level of essential amino acids, digestibility, and ability to be utilized by the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Nonessential amino acids

A

Amino acids the body can produce itself

nonessential = not needed from foods

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Peptide bond

A

link that connects amino group of one amino acid to the acid group or carboxyl end of another amino acid

forms a chain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Types of peptide bonds

A

Dipeptide- 2 amino acids

Tripeptide- 3 amino acids

Peptides- 4 to 10 amino acids

Polypeptids- greater than 10 amino acids

Proteins- very long links of amino acids (>100) and/or more than one linkage complexed together

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Protein- peptide bonds

A

a typical protein may contain 500 or more amino acids joined by peptide bonds

each protein has its own specific number and sequence of amino acids

some smaller proteins exist as almost straight chain amino acids, but most are complex 3D pattern

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Individual amino acids can also...
make certain hormones and neurotransmitters Ex: epinephrine, serotonin, norepinephrine, thyroid hormone can also make other substances like choline, carnitine, & nucleic acids in DNA
26
complete protein source
one that provides all 9 essential amino acids in adequate amounts Ex: meat, fish, dairy, poultry
27
Incomplete plant sources
most plant foods, especially grains and legumes, lack one or more essential amino acids can be combined to create complete
28
Plant based combinations for complete proteins
grains and legumes grains and nuts/seeds nuts/seeds and legumes
29
Biological value
the proportion of the amino acids that are absorbed, retained, and used in the body
30
Highest biological value protein
whey- natural byproduct of the cheese making process second highest is egg
31
Whey protein
highest biological value protein whey protein concentrate/isolate: 110-159 Whey protein: 104 made by filtering off lactose, fats, and minerals contains all essential and nonessential amino acids highest concentration of glutamine and BCAAs found in nature mostly used by bodybuilders and athletes, also used to support recovery from surgery, prevent wasting syndrome of AIDS and cancer, offset neg effects of radiation, therapy, chemotherapy
32
Glutamine & BCAAs
critical to cellular health, muscle growth, and protein synthesis
33
Eggs
second highest biological value protein at 100 egg protein is often the standard by which all other proteins are judged considered to be a nearly perfect food
34
Percent of protein from animal products in US vs plant sources
72% from animal sources, 28% from plant of 72%- 40% from meat, fish, poultry, 18% from dairy, 4% eggs of 28%- 18% grains, 8% fruits & veggies, 3% legumes
35
Risks of high amounts of animal protein
linked to *heart disease, cancers, *high blood pressure, kidney disease, osteoporosis, kidney stones *associated with increased intake of animal fats as well as animal protein
36
Animal protein & cancer
cancer can be caused by proteins that are altered in some cooking processes such as grilling and blackening, and by action of gut bacteria on undigested protein
37
Animal protein & kidneys
too much protein can have damaging effect
38
Animal protein & osteoporosis and kidney stones
deal with calcium metabolism- a high protein diet increases the excretion of calcium in the urine high protein diet a significant factor in increased number of people suffering from osteoporosis and kidney stones
39
Special amino acids
special interest in regard to growth and development, metabolism, protection from environmental chemicals as well as variety of diseases
40
Types of special amino acids
arginine, BCAAs, glutamine, lysine, methionine & cysteine, and taurine
41
Arginine
role in wound healing, detoxification reactions, immune functions, and promoting secretion of several hormones including insulin and growth hormone has a relaxing effect on blood vessels, improving blood flow body can usually make enough even when diet is lacking, but sometimes might need supplementation
42
Arginine foods
chocolate, peanuts, seeds, nuts like almonds & walnuts
43
Arginine & cardiovascular disease
beneficial for angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, peripheral vascular insufficiency (decreased blood flow to legs or arms) because increases nitric oxide levels
44
Arginine and nitric oxide levels
increases nitric oxide plays central role in regulating blood flow arginine supplementation = increased nitric oxide = improved blood flow, reduced blood clot formation, improve blood fluidity
45
Arginine & interstitial cystitis
symptoms similar to UTI but no infection since nitric oxide plays role in bladder function, studies have shown arginine can be helpful, but needs more research
46
Arginine and male infertility
effective to improve male fertility If sperm count is less than 20 million per milliliter, arginine supplementation is less likely to be helpful dosage of 4g a day for 3 months
47
Arginine of growth hormone secretion
promote secretion of growth hormone by pituitary gland, responsible for stimulating muscle and skeletal growth generally accepted as true used to gauge whether a child or adult is releasing enough growth hormone not effective over age 65
48
BCAAs
leucine, isoleucine, valine essential amino acids maintenance of muscle tissue, preserve muscle stores of glycogen (storage form of carbs that can be converted into energy) research on BCAA supplementation to enhance endurance performance are inconclusive found in most high protein foods- dairy & red meat have highest amounts
49
Glutamine
most abundant amino acid in the body involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid most abundant amino acid in the blood and free amino acid pool of skeletal muscle stimulates the synthesis and in habits the degradation of proteins and is an energy source for muscle cell division precursor for synthesis of amino acids, proteins, nucleotides, glutathione, and other molecules anabolic effect on skeletal muscle source of fuel for cells lining the intestines proper functioning of white blood cells high protein foods generally = high glutamine; whey & eggs are very good sources
50
Glutamine & athletic performance
doesn't improve performance but aids in recovery time of plasma glutamine levels low glutamine = detrimental effect on athletic performance and muscle growth supplements can boost levels and promote muscle protein synthesis biggest benefit is prevention of infections
51
Glutamine & immune function
boost immune function & fight infection shown in endurance athletes (extreme exercise suppresses immune system) and critically ill subjects- can dramatically increase survival in very ill patients unknown if glutamine supplementation enhances immune function in healthy people
52
Glutamine & peptic ulcers
promotes healing of ulcers more effective than conventional treatments such as antacids and antispasmodics cabbage juice is high in glutamine and helps heal ulcers
53
Glutamine & chemo side effects
help prevent mouth ulcers (stomatitis), muscle and joint pain, and suppression of the immune system in cancer patients receiving some types of chemotherapy, most notable 5-fluorouracil and paclitaxel (taxol)
54
Lysine
essential growth & bone development in children calcium absorption and maintenance of the correct nitrogen balance in body maintenance of lean body mass production of antibodies, hormones, and enzymes collagen formation and repair of tissue
55
Lysine benefits
high amounts useful for patients recovering from injuries or operations help maintain healthy blood vessels fighting herpes infections and cold sores *arginine triggers herpesviruses and lysine blocks effects of arginine = antiviral activity
56
Lysine foods
high in lysine = most vegetables, legumes, fish, turkey, chicken
57
Methionine and Cysteine
interconvertible sulfur-containing amino acids methionine = essential cysteine = nonessential health of connective tissue, joints, hair, skin, nails detoxification reactions to excrete heavy metals reduce bladder irritation by regulating formation of ammonia in urine Foods = meat, fish, eggs, dairy
58
Methionine & SAMe
converted to S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM or SAMe) compound involved in more than 40 biochemical reactions in body works closely with folic acid & B12 in methylation reactions
59
Methylation
process of adding a single carbon unit (a methyl group) to another molecule methylation reactions critical in manufacture of brain chemicals and detox reactions
60
SAMe
SAMe much more effective in transferring metal groups to other methyl donors supplementation has positive results for depression, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, liver disorders, and migraine headaches
61
Taurine
sulfur-containing amino acid produced from diet (nonessential) or produced from methionine and cysteine Different because: 1. not utilized in protein synthesis, found unbound or existing in small peptide chains 2. structure is different because a sulfur group replaces the carboxylic acid element found in other amino acids regulator of cellular charge, maintaining cell membrane stability regulates heartbeat, prevent brain cell overactivity, essential to visual process
62
Taurine supplementation
1-4g supplement per day = improve heart function in congestive heart failure, lower blood pressure, reduce seizures in people with epilepsy where drugs aren't controlling it Foods= highest in animal products
63
Tryptophan
essential starting point in creation of serotonin and melatonin
64
serotonin
master control chemical muscle movement, state of alertness, mental activity, ability to sleep depend on this
65
melatonin
primary hormone in sleep regulation determines sleep-wake cycle/circadian rhythm secreted from pineal gland as daylight begins to decline potent antioxidant with protective effects against many types of cancer adults tend to produce less as age
66
Tryptophan & serotonin/melatonin deficiency
poor diet, lack of exercise, caffeine, alcohol, stress = brain doesn't make enough serotonin and melatonin to meet body demands
67
Tryptophan metabolism
main determinant is balance of other amino acids in the blood stream, which is determined by food in diet found in foods in small amounts compared to other amino acids
68
Tryptophan and protein meal vs carb meal
high-protein meal= few hrs after, high levels of many different amino acids will compete for entry into the brain on few available transport molecules high-carb meal= higher levels of tryptophan and lower levels of other amino acids, so tryptophan enters brain quickly and serotonin rises same thing happens as in high-carb as when you eat foods high in tryptophan- turkey, milk, cottage cheese, chicken, eggs, red meats, soybeans, tofu, nuts (especially almonds)

Domain 1- Food & Nutrition (16 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions