Saturday, April 11, 2015

Proteins and Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Each has an amine group at one end, an acid group attached to a central carbon, which also carries a distinctive side chain.

Amino acids are classified into essential and non essential amino acids:

  • Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized at all by the body or cannot be synthesized in amounts sufficient to meet physiological needs. They are also called indispensable amino acids which can only be obtained from food. Examples of essential amino acids are Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine.
  • Non-essential amino acids can be synthesized from the body; from CHO and fats that provide the carbon skeleton and get their NH2 amine group from other compounds. Examples of non-essential amino acids are Tyrosine. 
The roles of protein in the body:

  1. Supporting growth and maintenance.
  2. Building enzymes and hormones.
  3. Building antibodies.
  4. Maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance.
  5. Providing energy.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Proteins are crucial for human life and health. Just wonder how such tiny amino acids contribute to almost each and every reaction in our body, really it's amazing!
Protens should be acquired from the diet, that is, from meats,legumes, nuts, and dairy products.