PROTEINS
PROTEINS
Third bioorganic molecules
Comes from the Greek
word proteios, which
means “of first importance”
Human cell contains 9,000
different kinds of proteins.
Human body contains 100,
000 different proteins.
FUNCTIONS OF PROTEINS
Needed for the synthesis of
enzymes, certain hormones,
and some blood
components.
Maintenance & repair for
existing tissues.
Synthesis of new tissues
Energy
CHARACTERISTICS OF
PROTEINS
Next to water, proteins are the most
abundant substances in nearly all
cells- 15% of a cell’s overall mass
and for almost half of a cell’s dry
mass.
Proteins contain the elements C, H,
O and N; most also contain S.
Nitrogen - sets them apart from
carbohydrates & lipids.
- average nitrogen content
is 15.4% by mass
CHARACTERISTICS OF
PROTEINS
Phosphorus and iron are
essential constituents of certain
specialized proteins.
Examples:
1. Casein – main protein of milk,
contains phosphorus important
for the infant’s and children’s diet.
2. Haemoglobin- oxygen
transporting protein of blood,
contains iron.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
PROTEINS
Naturally occurring
Unbranched polymer
It’s monomer units are
amino acids
AMINO ACIDS
The building blocks for proteins
An organic compound that
contains both an amino (-NH2)
group and a carboxyl (-COOH)
group.
Over 700 different naturally
occurring amino acids are
known.
α-AMINO ACIDS
Amino acids found in proteins
An amino acid in which the amino
group and the carboxyl group are
attached to the α-carbon atom.
AMINO ACID SIDE CHAIN
R group present in α-amino acid
Distinguishes α-amino acids from
each other.
It vary in size, shape, charge,
acidity, functional groups present,
hydrogen-bonding ability, and
chemical reactivity.
STANDARD AMINO ACID
One of the 20 α-amino acids normally found in proteins.
Grouped according to side-chain:
1. Nonpolar amino acids – hydrophobic; found in the interior of proteins
2. Polar Neutral amino acids
3. Polar Acidic amino acids hydrophilic; found on the surfaces of proteins
4. Polar Basic Amino acids
STANDARD AMINO ACIDS
GROUP CHARACTERISTICS NAME
Nonpolar Hydrophobic Gly, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Pro,
Phe, Met, Trp
Polar Neutral Hydrophilic (non-charged) Ser, Cys, Thr, Asn, Gla, Tyr
Polar Acidic Hydrophilic (negatively charged) Asp, Glu
Polar Basic Hydrophilic (positively charged) His, Lys, Arg
STANDARD AMINO ACIDS
STANDARD AMINO ACIDS
Valine All of these 3 amino acids are called branched chain amino acid
Leucine (BCAAs). They perform the important functions of increasing
Isoleucine proteins and serving as an energy source during exercise.
Alanine It is an important amino acid as an energy source for the liver.
It is an amino acid needed to maintain normal functions of blood vessels
Arginine
and other organs.
It is an amino acid needed to maintain normal functions of the
Glutamine
gastrointestinal tract and muscles.
It is a representative essential amino acid and tends to be insufficient
Lysine
when we are on a bread- or rice-centered diet.
It is contained in asparagus in large amounts. It is a fast-acting energy
Aspartic acid
source.
It is contained in wheat and soybean in large amounts. It is a fast-acting
Glutamate
energy source.
It is the main component of "collagen" which constitutes the skin and
Proline
other tissues. It serves as a fast-acting energy source.
STANDARD AMINO ACIDS
Cysteine Cysteine is easy to be deficient in the infants.
Threonine It is an essential amino acid which is used to form active sites of enzymes.
It is an essential amino acid which is used to produce various substances
Methionine
needed in the body.
Histidine It is an essential amino acid which is used to produce histamine and others.
Phenylalanine It is an essential amino acid which is used to produce various useful amines.
It is used to produce various useful amines and is sometimes called aromatic
Tyrosine
amino acid together with phenylalanine and tryptophan.
Tryptophan It is an essential amino acid which is used to produce various useful amines.
It is an amino acid which is located close to the TCA cycle (place of energy
Asparagine
generation) together with aspartic acid.
Glycine It is used to produce glutathione and porphyrin, a component of hemoglobin.
Serine It is used to produce phospholipids and glyceric acid.
ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS
An amino acid needed in the human
body that must be obtained from
dietary sources because it cannot be
synthesized within the body from
other substances in adequate
amounts.
10 essential amino acids for humans
(arginine, histidine, isoleucine,
leucine, lysine, methionine,
phenylalanine, threonine,
tryptophan, and valine)
COMPLETE DIETARY
PROTEIN
A protein that contains all amino
acids in approximately the same
relative amounts in which the human
body needs them.
It may or may not contain all the
nonessential amino acids.
Complete proteins are found in most
animals proteins including casein,
proteins found in meat, fish & eggs.
Proteins from plants such as
vegetable, grains & legumes are far
from complete.
ESSENTIAL AMINO ACID DEFICIENCIES
Amino Acids Missing in-Selected Vegetables
and Grains
Food Source Amino Acid Deficiency
wheat, rice, oats lysine
corn lysine, tryptophan
beans methionine, tryptophan
peas methionine
almonds, walnuts lysine, tryptophan
