Proteins and Enzymes Flashcards
Why are proteins needed in our diet?
For growth and repair of body tissue - for example hair, nails and muscle.
What are proteins responsible for?
MAINTENANCE AND REGULATION OF LIFE PROCESSES.
What are proteins?
Natural condensation polymers made up of amino acids.
Name the two functional groups in an amino acid.
Amino group -NH2, and a carboxyl group -COOH.
How many amino acids are needed by the body to make proteins?
20
Where does the body get the amino acids that it cannot make? - And what are these called?
The body gets the essential amino acids from food.
When amino acids join to form a protein, what else is also produced?
H20
What is the link formed between amino acids?
Peptide (or amide) link -CONH.
What is responsible for many of the chemical reactions that take place in our body?
Enzymes
What are most enzymes?
Proteins
Why are enzymes described as biological catalysts?
They speed up biochemical reactions, as well as the digestion of dietary proteins. Enzymes catalyse the breakdown of chemicals found in food.
What do these enzymes break down?:
Amylase
Pepsin and trypsins
Lipases
Carbohydrate
Protein
Fats
What happens when dietary protein is hydrolysed in the body? - Where does this take place?
Amino acids are formed. The hydrolysis takes place at the peptide link.
What is essential for protein formation?
Nitrogen
What is a major structural material in animal tissue?
Protein
