The Basics

Question 1

What are proteins?

Answer 1

Large complex molecules found in the cells of all living things that provide structure in our cells and the tissues of our body. They helped to form cellular membranes and are composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Question 2

What are amino acids?

Answer 2

The Proteins in our body that are assembled according to instructions provided by our DNA from building blocks called amino acids 

They are made up of a central carbon atom connected to four other groups, an amine group, an acid group, a hydrogen atom and a side chain 

Question 3

Indispensable amino acids

Answer 3

Refers to nine of the 20 amino acids that are essential to our body, our body cannot produce them or insufficient amounts are produced to meet our needs so they must be obtained from our food or we will lose all ability to make the protein that we need

Question 4

Dispensable amino acids

Answer 4

Refers to the other 11 amino acids that our body can create in sufficient quantities so we do not need to consume them in our diet

Question 5

Transmination

Answer 5

When our body makes non-essential amino acids by transferring the amine group from other amino acids into a different acid group and side chain 

Question 6

How are proteins made?

Answer 6

Cells create proteins by selecting the needed amino acids from the pool of all amino acids available at any given time
To amino acids joined together form a die peptide
Three amino acids joined together are called a tripeptide
4 to 6 amino acids joint together are a oligopeptide
10 or more amino acids bonds together are referred to as polypeptides, and as a polypeptide chain grows longer, it begins to fold into a variety of complex shapes that give proteins their sophisticated structures

Question 7

Protein turnover

Answer 7

A process of synthesis and degration of proteins within a cell that maintains the levels of protein needed for cellular function while removing damaged or misfolded proteins

Question 8

First step of protein turnover

Answer 8

Amino acids come from food or from the breakdown of cells

Question 9

Second step of protein turnover

Answer 9

Amino acids are drawn from the amino acid pool

Question 10

Third step of protein turnover

Answer 10

Amino acids are combined to proteins, fat, glucose, and non-protein compounds

Question 11

Step number four of protein turnover

Answer 11

Excess nitrogen is produced as waste and exits out of the body

Question 12

How does protein organization, determine function?

Answer 12

1. Primary structure of protein is the order of amino acids.
2. The secondary structure of a protein is a twisting or folding of amino acid.
3. The dietary structure is further folding the results in a three dimensional shape of the protein.
4. Quaternary structure results when two or more polypeptide interact, forming a larger protein.

Question 13

The shape of protein

Answer 13

Important towards different types of protein, strands and muscle fibres are much longer than they are wide to enable muscle contraction and relaxation while proteins that form red blood cells are global in shape to give them flexibility to flow through the body

Question 14

Denaturation

Answer 14

Referred to the uncoiling of proteins when they are exposed to heat, acids, bases, alcohol, and other damaging substances. When this happens, it’s function is lost.

Question 15

Limited protein synthesis due to missing amino acid

Answer 15

All essential amino acids must be available for protein synthesis to occur, if an amino acid is missing or in small supply, it is called limiting amino acid, and without it, the protein cannot be generated

Question 16

Incomplete protein

Answer 16

When a dietary protein does not contain all of the essential amino acids in sufficient quantities to support growth and health (ex: whole grains)

Question 17

Complete protein

Answer 17

A protein that has all nine of the essential amino acids like eggs, meat, milk, and soy for vegans

Question 18

Mutual sublimation

Answer 18

The process of combining two or more incomplete protein sources to make a complete protein, these foods provide complementary proteins meaning that together they provide all nine essential amino acids, but it is not necessary to eat them in the same meal as we maintain a free pool of amino acids in the blood

Question 19

The role of protein in the body

Answer 19

Contributes to structure, cell growth, repair and maintenance, involved in movement of the human body (muscles), proteins act as enzymes and hormones, they help maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, they maintain acid base balance, to help maintain a strong immune system, they serve as an energy source, their assist in the transport and storage nutrients, and they are critical to nerve function, blood clotting, and wound healing

Question 20

Nitrogen balance

Answer 20

A specialized procedure that can determine a person’s protein needs. It involves measuring nitrogen intake and nitrogen excretion over a two week period

Question 21

Positive nitrogen balance

Answer 21

Nitrogen consumption is greater than nitrogen excretion and is needed for periods of growth, pregnancy, recovery from illness or protein deficiency

Question 22

Negative nitrogen balance

Answer 22

Nitrogen consumption is less than nitrogen, excretion and results from starvation, very low energy, diets, severe illness, infections or injuries

Question 23

Nitrogen balance

Answer 23

Nitrogen consumption equals nitrogen, excretion, and found in healthy adults who are not pregnant 

Question 24

Recommended dietary allowance for protein

Answer 24

RDA equals 0.8 g per kilogram of body weight per day
AMDR equals 10 to 35%
Athletes should get 1.2 to 2.0 g per kilogram per day
Pregnant lemon should get 1.1 g per kilogram per day

Question 25

Protein energy malnutrition

Answer 25

A disorder caused by inadequate consumption of protein, combined with a significant decline in energy intake, and there is severe wasting of the body

Question 26

Severe acute malnutrition, SAM

Answer 26

A state of severe energy deficiency

Question 27

Marasmus

Answer 27

A form of protein energy malnutrition that results from inadequate intake of energy and protein, as well as other nutrients that is characterized by extreme tissue, waste cream, and stunted growth/development. It is most common and young children and includes weakening of the muscles, wasting, stunted growth and learning impairments.

Question 28

Kwashiorkor

Answer 28

What form of protein energy malnutrition that is typically seen in malnourished infants and toddlers and his character characterized by wasting other signs of protein deficiency. It develops quicker than marasmus and targets the belly because the low protein content of the blood is not able to keep fluids from seeping into the tissue spaces. Signs include weight loss, muscle wasting, loss of appetite, development of sores and skin problems as well as dry, brittle hair, that changes colour or falls out easily.