Protein and Amino Acids Quiz

What is Protein?

• Large complex molecules composed of amino acids
• Amino acids are commonly called protein's building blocks
• Amino acids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen
• Some amino acids also contain sulfur

Amino Acids

• All amino acids have the same simple chemical backbone
• Each amino acid also has a distinctive chemical side chain attached
• The side chains make the amino acids differ in size, shape, and electrical charge

Essential vs. Non-essential Amino Acids

• There are 20 different amino acids used to make proteins
• 11 non-essential amino acids are produced by the body
• 9 essential amino acids must be obtained from food

Types of Proteins in Food

• Incomplete protein: does not contain all essential amino acids and is considered “low quality” protein
• Complete protein: contains sufficient amounts of all 9 essential amino acids and is considered a “high quality” protein
• Complementary proteins: two protein sources that together supply all 9 essential amino acids

Best Sources of Protein

• Animal sources: meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products
• Plant sources: beans, lentils, tofu, nuts, seeds, quinoa

Functions of Proteins in the Body

• Maintain body tissues and wound healing
• Functions as enzymes and hormones
• Help maintain acid-base balance (pH)
• Blood clotting
• Gene regulation
• Assist the immune system
• Balance the Fluid
• Make Antibodies to protect against disease
• Serve as a source of energy when necessary

Protein Digestion and Absorption

• The process begins in the stomach
• Stomach acid denatures proteins
• further digestion occurs in the small intestine

Role of Proteins in Foods: Denaturation

• Refers to the physical changes that take place in protein exposed to abnormal conditions in the environment
• Denaturing of proteins happens during food preparation (cooking, whipping, adding acids) or digestion (in the stomach with hydrochloric acid).
• Factors that cause denaturation: heat, acids, bases, alcohol, high salt concentrations

Types of Vegetarians

• Lacto-ovo: eats dairy products and eggs
• Lacto-vegetarian: eats dairy products, but not eggs
• Ovo-vegetarian: eats eggs, but not dairy products
• Vegan: does not eat dairy, eggs, or any type of animal product or by-product

How Much Protein Should We Eat?

• Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight
• Athletes may need slightly more protein (1.2-1.7 g/kg)
• 10% to 35% of calories should come from protein

Factors that Determine Protein Needs

• Age
• Gender
• Health status
• Body Size
• Activity level

Protein Deficiency & Excess

• Health Consequences of Too Much Protein in the Diet: high cholesterol, potential bone loss, kidney disease, colon cancer
• Health Consequences of Too Little Protein: cells lining the GI tract are not sufficiently replaced, digestive function is inhibited, absorption of food is reduced, immune system cannot fight infection

Two Common Forms of Protein Deficiency

• Marasmus - severe wasting of muscle tissue, stunted growth, anemia
• Kwashiorkor - swelling of the feet and abdomen, poor skin health, poor growth and development, hair loss

Protein Deficiency Treatments

• Medical and nutritional treatment can dramatically reduce mortality rate
• Treatment Steps: address life-threatening factors, restore depleted tissue, transition to foods and introduce physical activity

Test your knowledge on proteins and amino acids with this quiz. Explore the differences between essential and non-essential amino acids and the types of proteins found in food. Challenge yourself to identify key concepts about protein structure and function.