Chapter 6 Proteins

Non essential amino acids

Amino acids that can be manufactured by the body in sufficient quantities and therefore do not need to be consumed regularly in our diet

Essential amino acids

Amino acids not produced by the body that must be obtained from food

Edema

A disorder in which fluids build up in the tissue spaces of the body, causing fluid imbalances and a swollen appearance

Amino acids

Nitrogen-containing molecules that combine to form proteins

Transport proteins

Protein molecules that help transport substances throughout the body and across cell membranes

Complete proteins

Proteins that contain all nine essential amino acids in sufficient quantities for protein synthesis. Proteins from animal sources, and soybeans.

Incomplete proteins

Proteins that do not contain all of the essential amino acids in sufficient amounts to support growth and health

Limiting amino acid

The essential amino acid that is missing or in the smallest supply in the amino acid pool and is thus responsible for slowing or halting protein syntehsis

Mutual supplementation

The process of combining two or more incomplete protein sources to make a complete protein

Gene expression

The process of using a gene to make a protein

Translation

The process that occurs when the genetic information carried by messenger RNC is translated into a chain of amino acids at the ribosome

Transcription

The process through which messenger RNA copies genetic information from DNA in the nucleus

Complementary proteins

Two or more foods that together contain all nine essentially amino acids necessary for a complete protein. It is not necessary to eat complementary proteins at the same meal.

Peptide bonds

Unique types of chemical bonds in which the amine group of one amino acid binds to the acid group of another to manufacture dipeptides and all larger peptide molecules

transamination

the process of transferring the amine group from one amino acid to another to manufacture a new amino acid