Chapter 5: Proteins: Proteins - Compounds Made From Strands of Amino Acids

estimate the protein in a sample of food, body tissue, or
Chapter 5: Proteins excreta by measuring the nitrogen in it.
Roles of Body Proteins

Chemists’ View of Proteins AS STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
These amino acids are integral parts of the muscle
Proteins - compounds made from strands of amino acids structure, and their loss exacts a cost of functional protein,
composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen as a later section makes clear. Other structural proteins
atoms. Some amino acids also contain sulfur atoms. confer shape and strength on bones, teeth, tendons,
cartilage, blood vessels, and other tissues.
Amino - building blocks of protein. Each contains an
amino group, an acid group, a hydrogen atom, and a AS ENZYMES
distinctive side group, all attached to a central carbon A catalyst is a compound that facilitates chemical
atom. reactions without itself being changed in the process.
Amino = containing nitrogen
AS TRANSPORTERS
Types of Protein Chain A large group of proteins specialize in transporting other
1. Dipeptide: two amino acids bonded together. substances, such as lipids, vitamins, and minerals, around
Di = two the body.
Peptide = amino acid
2. Tripeptide: three amino acids bonded together. AS REGULATORS OF FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE BALANCE
Tri = three Proteins help maintain the body’s fluid and electrolyte
3. Polypeptide: 10 or more amino acids bonded balance.
together. An intermediate strand of between 4 and fluid and electrolyte balance - maintenance of the
10 amino acids is an oligopeptide. necessary amounts and types of fluid and minerals in each
Poly = many compartment of the body fluids.
Oligo = few
AS REGULATORS OF ACID-BASE BALANCE
Protein Turnover and Nitrogen Balance Proteins also help maintain the balance between acids
and bases within the body’s fluid.
Protein turnover - the continuous breakdown and synthesis Acid-base balance - the balance maintained between
of body proteins involving the recycling of amino acids. acid and base concentrations in the blood and body
fluids.
Nitrogen balance - the amount of nitrogen consumed (N
in) as compared with the amount of nitrogen excreted (N
out) in a given period of time. The laboratory scientist can
AS ANTIBODIES 2. Protein Excess
Other proteins in the blood—the antibodies—defend  Heart Disease
against viruses, bacteria, and other disease agents.  Kidney Disease
 Adult Bone Loss
3. Protein recommendations and intakes - The
committee that established the RDA states that a
AS HORMONES generous daily protein allowance for a healthy adult
The blood also carries messenger molecules known as is 0.8 gram per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of healthy
hormones, and some hormones are proteins. Among the body weight.
proteins that act as hormones are glucagon and insulin.
Protein in Foods
AS A SOURCE OF ENERGY AND GLUCOSE
When glucose or fatty acids are limited, cells are forced to 1. Protein Quality
use amino acids for energy and glucose.  Digestibility - Proteins must be digested before they
can provide amino acids. Protein digestibility
Protein and Health depends on such factors as the protein’s source and
the other foods eaten with it.
1. Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM): a deficiency of  High-Quality Proteins – A high-quality protein
protein and food energy; the world’s most contains all the essential amino acids in amounts
widespread malnutrition problem, including both adequate for human use; it may or may not contain
marasmus and kwashiorkor. all the others.
 Complementary proteins - two or more proteins
 Marasmus - the most common form of severe PEM whose amino acid assortments complement each
before one year of age. Marasmus is characterized other in such a way that the essential amino acids
by generalized muscle wasting associated with missing from one are supplied by the other.
extreme deprivation, or impaired absorption, of
energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. 2. Protein Sparing Dietary protein—no matter how high
the quality—will not be used efficiently and will not
 Kwashiorkor - a severe form of PEM that occurs more support growth when energy from carbohydrate
frequently after 18 months of age. Kwashiorkor is and fat is lacking. The body assigns top priority to
characterized by failure to grow and develop, meeting its energy need and, if necessary, will break
changes in the pigmentation of the hair and skin, down protein to meet this need.
edema, and fatty liver. Kwashiorkor is associated
with inadequate protein intake and infections. 3. PROTEIN ON FOOD LABELS All food labels must state
the quantity of protein in grams. The “percent Daily
Value” for protein is not mandatory on all labels, but
it is required whenever a food makes a protein claim
or is intended for consumption by children under
four years old.

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Chapter 5: Proteins: Proteins - Compounds Made From Strands of Amino Acids

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estimate the protein in a sample of food, body tissue, or

Chapter 5: Proteins excreta by measuring the nitrogen in it.

Roles of Body Proteins

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