Amino Acids – The Building Blocks Of Proteins

20 May, 2009 No Comment

Protein is generally called the building block of the body. But what makes up the protein? Protein is made up of amino acids and we may well say that amino acids are the building block of protein. Our body requires twenty amino acids, out of which eleven are non-essential amino acids and the rest are essential.

Non essential amino acid does not mean that they are not important or less important for the body; it simply means they can be synthesized by the body naturally in the presence of oxygen, with enough supply of nitrogen, hydrogen and carbon. Essential amino acids are those which our body cannot synthesize on its own and has to be supplied through our food.

Structure

All amino acids have a common structure; all of them have an amino component, an acid component, a hydrogen atom and a distinct side group, all of these attached to a single carbon atom, centrally placed. This makes proteins the most complex structures.

Although the rest of the amino acid structure is same for all amino acids, it is the side group that makes each one distinct and separate form the others. The shape, size and electric charge and Ph of the side groups vary and make each group unique. Some amino acids are hydrophilic while some are hydrophobic.

Sources

Foods which we consider rich in protein are actually rich in amino acids. They include meat, fish, egg, milk, cheese, gram, pulses soy, nuts, peas and seeds. Regular and adequate consumption of such food can provide the body with the required amino acids.

Uses

Amino acids help in the synthesis of protein in the body. Proteins in turn help in growth, protection and transportation of chemical substances in the body. Proteins act as antibodies and help in protecting the body, proteins help in transporting oxygen, vitamins and minerals from the source organs to the target organs, proteins also act as enzymes and help in boosting up chemical reactions in the body. Structural protein help in formation of teeth, hair, nails etc. All the hormones in our body are also proteins.

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