Amino acids - the main building materialany living organism. By their nature, they are the primary nitrogenous substances of plants, which are synthesized from the soil. The structure and function of proteins and amino acids depend on their composition.
Amino acid structure
Each molecule of it has carboxyl and aminegroups that are connected to the radical. If the amino acid contains 1 carboxyl and 1 amino group, its structure can be designated by the formula below.
Amino acids that have 1 acid and 1alkaline group, called monoaminomonocarboxylic. Amino acids are also synthesized in organisms, the structure and functions of which determine 2 carboxyl groups or 2 amine groups. Amino acids containing 2 carboxyl and 1 amine groups are called monoamino dicarboxylic, and those having 2 amine and 1 carboxyl groups are called diaminomonocarboxylic.
They also differ in the structure of organicradical R. Each of them has its own name and structure. From here and various functions of amino acids. It is the presence of acid and alkaline groups that ensures its high reactivity. These groups combine amino acids and form a polymer - protein. Proteins are also called polypeptides because of their structure.
Amino acids as a building material
A protein molecule is a chain of tens orhundreds of amino acids. Proteins differ in composition, quantity and order of amino acids, because the number of combinations of 20 components is almost infinite. Some of them have the entire composition of essential amino acids, others do without one or several. Separate amino acids, the structure of which functions are similar to proteins of the human body, are not used as food, because they are poorly soluble and do not break down the digestive tract. These include proteins of nails, hair, wool or feathers.
Функции аминокислот трудно переоценить.These substances are the main food in the diet of people. What is the function of amino acids? They increase the growth of muscle mass, help strengthen the joints and ligaments, restore damaged body tissues and participate in all processes occurring in the human body.
Essential amino acids
Only from additives or foods canget essential amino acids. Functions in the process of formation of healthy joints, strong muscles, beautiful hair are very significant. These amino acids include:
- phenylalanine;
- lysine;
- threonine;
- methionine;
- valine;
- leucine;
- tryptophan;
- histidine;
- isoleucine.
Functions of essential amino acids
These bricks perform essential functions inthe work of every cell of the human body. They are invisible until they enter the body in sufficient quantity, but their lack significantly worsens the work of the whole organism.
- Valin renews muscles, serves as an excellent source of energy.
- Histidine improves blood composition, promotes muscle recovery and growth, improves joint function.
- Isoleucine helps hemoglobin production. Controls the amount of sugar in the blood, increases the energy of a person, endurance.
- Leucine strengthens the immune system, monitors the level of sugar and white blood cells in the blood. If the level of white blood cells is too high: it lowers them and connects the body's reserves to eliminate inflammation.
- Лизин помогает усвоению кальция, что формирует и strengthens bones. Helps the production of collagen, improves hair structure. For men, this is an excellent anabolic, since it builds up muscles and increases masculine strength.
- Methionine normalizes the digestive system and liver. Participates in the splitting of fats, removes toxicosis in pregnant women, has a beneficial effect on the hair.
- Threonine improves the digestive tract. Increases immunity, is involved in the creation of elastin and collagen. Threonine prevents the deposition of fat in the liver.
- Tryptophan is responsible for human emotions. It produces serotonin - the hormone of happiness, thereby normalizes sleep, improves mood. Tames appetite, charitable effect on the heart muscle and arteries.
- Phenylalanine serves as a transmitter of signals from nerve cells to the brain of the head. It improves mood, suppresses unhealthy appetite, improves memory, increases susceptibility, reduces pain.
A deficiency of essential amino acids leads to growth arrest, metabolic disorders, decrease in muscle mass.
Replaceable amino acids
These are amino acids whose structure and functions are produced in the body:
- arginine;
- alanine;
- asparagine;
- glycine;
- proline;
- taurine;
- tyrosine;
- glutamate;
- serine;
- glutamine;
- ornithine;
- cysteine;
- carnitine.
Functions of essential amino acids
- Cysteine eliminates toxic substances, is involved in the creation of tissues of the skin and muscles, is a natural antioxidant.
- Tyrosine reduces physical fatigue, speeds up metabolism, eliminates stress and depression.
- Alanine serves for the growth of muscles, is a source of energy.
- Aspartic acid increases metabolism and reduces the formation of ammonia under heavy loads.
- Cystine relieves pain in injuries of the ligaments and joints.
- Glutamic acid is responsible for brain activity, during prolonged physical exertion goes into glucose, producing energy.
- Glutamine restores muscles, boosts immunity, speeds up metabolism, strengthens the brain and creates growth hormone.
- Glycine is essential for muscle function, fat splitting, blood pressure stabilization and blood sugar.
- Carnitine moves fatty acids into cells, where they are broken down with energy, resulting in the burning of excess fat and energy is generated.
- Ornithine produces growth hormone, participates in the process of urination, breaks down fatty acids, helps insulin production.
- Proline provides collagen production, it is necessary for ligaments and joints.
- Serine enhances immunity and produces energy, it is needed for the rapid metabolism of fatty acids and muscle growth.
- Taurine breaks down fat, increases the body's resistance, synthesizes bile salts.
Protein and its properties
Proteins, or proteins - high molecular weightcompounds with nitrogen content. The concept of "protein", first designated by Berzelius in 1838, comes from the Greek word and means "primary", which reflects the leading meaning of proteins in nature. A variety of proteins allows for the existence of a huge number of living beings: from bacteria to the human body. There are significantly more of them than other macromolecules, because proteins are the foundation of a living cell. It is approximately 20% of the mass of the human body, more than 50% of the dry mass of the cell. This number of various proteins is explained by the properties of twenty different amino acids, which interact with each other and create polymeric molecules.
An outstanding property of proteins is the ability toindependent creation of a specific spatial structure peculiar to a specific protein. By chemical structure, proteins are biopolymers with peptide bonds. The chemical composition of proteins is characterized by a constant average nitrogen content of approximately 16%.
Life, as well as the growth and development of the bodyimpossible without the function of protein amino acids to build new cells. Proteins cannot be replaced by other elements, their role in the human body is extremely important.
Protein functions
The need for proteins lies in such functions:
- it is necessary for growth and development, as it acts as the main building material for creating new cells;
- controls the metabolism during whichenergy is released. After eating, the metabolic rate increases, for example, if the food consists of carbohydrates, the metabolism accelerates by 4%, if the protein - by 30%;
- regulate the water balance in the body, due to its hydrophilicity - the ability to attract water;
- strengthen the immune system, synthesizing antibodies that protect against infection and eliminate the threat of disease.
Products - protein sources
The muscles and skeleton of a person consist of living tissue,which throughout life not only function, but also are updated. Recovered after damage, retain their strength and strength. To do this, they require well-defined nutrients. Food provides the body with energy needed for all processes, including muscle work, growth and tissue repair. And protein in the body is used both as an energy source and as a building material.
Therefore, it is very important to observe its dailyuse for food. Protein-rich foods: chicken, turkey, lean ham, pork, beef, fish, shrimp, beans, lentils, bacon, eggs, walnut. All these products provide the body with protein and provide the energy necessary for life.
