Summary

This document presents an overview of amino acids, including their properties, the nitrogen cycle, different types of amino acids, and their various uses. It's specifically designed for BMS100, likely a biology course at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.

Full Transcript

Amino acids Pre or Post Learning Dr. Heisel BMS100 Video Link https://ccnm.ca.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Vie wer.aspx?id=ccad73a3-91c5-474c-82b4af830000c9a9 Objectives Define the properties of amino acids at pH=7 Provide an overview of the N-cycle Define what is meant by essential amino acid an...

Amino acids Pre or Post Learning Dr. Heisel BMS100 Video Link https://ccnm.ca.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Vie wer.aspx?id=ccad73a3-91c5-474c-82b4af830000c9a9 Objectives Define the properties of amino acids at pH=7 Provide an overview of the N-cycle Define what is meant by essential amino acid and list the EAA’s and BCAA’s Amino Acids Note that all have amino group, an acid group, and an Rgroup (blue boxes) Amino Acids: General Properties At pH = 7, amino acids are: Zwitterions No net charge across N- and C- terminals Amphoteric Can act as an acid or a base by donating or accepting electrons (ie H’s) Amino Acids: Nitrogen All require at least 1 N: where does it come from? Nitrogen cycle: N2 in atmosphere seeps into soil when it rains Bacteria in roots of legumes and soil use lots of energy to convert nitrogen into forms assimilated by plants Nitrates (NO3-) and ammonium ions (NH4+) Plants convert the nitrogen into a usable organic form: amino acids! Animals eat the plants and ingest the amino acids (and therefore the N) Animals and plants eventually decompose, releasing N back to the soil and the atmosphere Amino Acids: Uses Once animals ingest the plants, what do they do with the amino acids? Use them for anabolic reactions Making proteins or other amino acids Catabolize them Energy The CAC has entry points for various amino acids Release of N, which can be used to make things like: Purines and pyrimidines Heme (for cytochromes, hemoglobin) Urea (excretory form of N) Amino Acids: Classifications Val, Leu, Iso Known as branched chain amino acids (BCAA’s) Subset of the essential amino acids Are highly enriched in blood leaving the liver, so serve to help transport N to other tissues Remember, all aa’s have at least 1 N * Amino Acids: Classifications Essential amino acids (EAA) Not made de novo in mammals: required in diet In addition to valine, isoleucine, leucine (ie BCAA’s), includes: Lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan Infants: histidine and arginine are also considered essential in infants, but not in adults Infants do not yet make sufficient amounts 9 * Amino Acids: Classifications The following phrase may be useful in helping you remember the EAA’s: Any (arginine – infants) Help (histidine – infants) In (isoleucine) Learning (leucine) These (threonine) Little (lysine) Molecules (methionine) Proves (phenylalanine) Truly (tryptophan) Valuable (valine) 10 * Amino Acids: Classifications Complete proteins Contain sufficient amounts of EAA to support health In general, come from animal products Plant products not usually considered complete, as have variable amino acid composition Need a variety to get a full complement of EAAs Ex: beans are low in met, wheat is low in lys, corn is low in lys and trp FYI - Soy: does have all EAA’s, but low in Met, so not usually considered a complete protein FYI - Quinoa: considered by some sources to be a complete protein 11

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