Amino acids are the main building material of any 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 of its molecule has carboxyl and amine groups, which are connected to the radical. If an amino acid contains 1 carboxyl and 1 amino group, its structure can be indicated by the formula below.
Amino acids that have 1 acid and 1 alkaline group are 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 amino groups are called monoaminodicarboxylic, and those containing 2 amine and 1 carboxyl group are called diaminomonocarboxylic.
They also differ in the structure of the organic radical R. Each of them has its own name and structure. Hence the different functions of amino acids. It is the presence of acidic and alkaline groups that ensures its high reactivity. These groups connect amino acids and form a polymer - a protein. Proteins are also called polypeptides because of their structure.
Amino acids as a building material
A protein molecule is a chain of tens or hundreds 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, while others do without one or more. Separate amino acids, the structure, the functions of which are similar to the proteins of the human body, are not used as food, as they are poorly soluble and do not break down the gastrointestinal tract. These include the proteins of nails, hair, wool or feathers.
The functions of amino acids cannot be overestimated. 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 joints and ligaments, restore damaged body tissues and are involved in all processes that occur in the human body.
Essential amino acids
Essential amino acids can only be obtained from supplements or foods. Functions in the process of forming he althy 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 the most important functions in the work of every cell of the human body. They are invisible until they enter the body in sufficient quantities, but their deficiency significantly impairs the functioning of the whole organism.
- Valine renews muscles, serves as an excellent source of energy.
- Histidine improves blood composition, promotes muscle recovery and growth, improves joint function.
- Isoleucine helps produce hemoglobin. Controls the amount of sugar in the blood, increases a person's energy, endurance.
- Leucine strengthens the immune system, monitors the level of sugar and leukocytes in the blood. If the level of leukocytes is too high: it lowers them and connects the body's reserves to eliminate inflammation.
- Lysine aids in the absorption of calcium, which builds and strengthens bones. Helps the production of collagen, improves hair structure. For men, this is an excellent anabolic, as it builds muscle and increases male strength.
- Methionine normalizes the digestive system and liver. Participates in the breakdown of fats, removes toxicosis in pregnant women, has a beneficial effect on hair.
- Threonine improves the digestive tract. Increases immunity, participates in the creation of elastin and collagen. Threonine prevents the deposition of fat in the liver.
- Tryptophan is responsible for human emotions. Produces serotonin - the hormone of happiness, thereby normalizes sleep, improves mood. Tames the appetite, has a beneficial effect on the heart muscle and arteries.
- Phenylalanine serves as a transmittersignals from nerve cells to the brain. Improves mood, suppresses unhe althy appetite, improves memory, increases susceptibility, reduces pain.
Deficiency of essential amino acids leads to stunted growth, metabolic disorders, loss of muscle mass.
Essential amino acids
These are amino acids, the structure and functions of which are produced in the body:
- arginine;
- alanine;
- asparagine;
- glycine;
- proline;
- taurine;
- tyrosine;
- glutamate;
- serine;
- glutamine;
- ornithine;
- cysteine;
- carnitine.
Functions of non-essential amino acids
- Cysteine eliminates toxic substances, is involved in the creation of skin and muscle tissues, is a natural antioxidant.
- Tyrosine reduces physical fatigue, speeds up metabolism, eliminates stress and depression.
- Alanine is used for muscle growth, is a source of energy.
- Aspartic acid increases metabolism and reduces ammonia production during heavy exercise.
- Cystine eliminates pain from injuries of ligaments and joints.
- Glutamic acid is responsible for brain activity, during prolonged physical exertion it turns into glucose, producing energy.
- Glutamine restores muscles, boosts immunity, speeds up metabolism, enhances brain function and creates growth hormone.
- Glycine is essential for muscle work, fat breakdown,stabilize blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Carnitine moves fatty acids into cells where they are broken down for energy, resulting in excess fat being burned and energy being generated.
- Ornithine produces growth hormone, participates in the process of urination, breaks down fatty acids, helps produce insulin.
- Proline provides the production of collagen, it is necessary for ligaments and joints.
- Serine boosts immunity and produces energy, needed for fast metabolism of fatty acids and muscle growth.
- Taurine breaks down fat, raises the body's resistance, synthesizes bile s alts.
Protein and its properties
Proteins, or proteins - macromolecular compounds 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 value of proteins in nature. A variety of proteins makes it possible 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. They make up approximately 20% of the mass of the human body, more than 50% of the dry mass of the cell. Such a variety of proteins is due to the properties of twenty different amino acids that interact with each other and create polymer molecules.
An outstanding property of proteins is the ability to self-createa specific spatial structure characteristic of a particular protein. By chemical structure, proteins are biopolymers with peptide bonds. Protein chemistry has a constant average nitrogen content of approximately 16%.
Life, as well as the growth and development of the body is impossible 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 the following functions:
- it is necessary for growth and development, as it is the main building material for the creation of new cells;
- governs metabolism, during which energy is released. After eating, the metabolic rate increases, for example, if the food consists of carbohydrates, the metabolism accelerates by 4%, if from proteins - by 30%;
- regulate the water balance in the body, due to its hydrophilicity - the ability to attract water;
- strengthen the immune system by synthesizing antibodies that protect against infection and eliminate the threat of disease.
Foods are protein sources
Muscles and the human skeleton are made up of living tissues that not only function, but are also updated throughout life. They recover from damage, retain their strength and durability. To do this, they require well-defined nutrients. Food provides the body with the energy needed for all processes, including muscle function,tissue growth and repair. And protein in the body is used both as a source of energy and as a building material.
Therefore, it is very important to observe its daily use in food. Protein-rich foods: chicken, turkey, lean ham, pork, beef, fish, shrimp, beans, lentils, bacon, eggs, nuts. All these foods provide the body with protein and provide the energy needed for life.
