Name: ________________________________________ Score: __________________

Activity 3.1 Amino Acids Date: ________________________

AMINO ACIDS USE/S FOOD SOURCES
(at least 3)
Glycine Glycine is an amino acid, a building block for meat, fish, dairy, and
protein. It is not considered an "essential amino acid" legumes.
because the body can make it from other chemicals.
A typical diet contains about 2 grams of glycine
daily.
Alanine Alanine is a glucogenic amino acid that constitutes a meat and poultry, fish,
high percentage of the amino acids in most proteins. eggs, and dairy products
Also, other amino acids, in particular, branched chain
amino acids (BCAA), such as valine, leucine, and
isoleucine can be converted to alanine.
Serine Serine is a non-essential amino acid in humans soybeans, nuts
(synthesized by the body), Serine is present and (especially peanuts,
functionally important in many proteins. With an almonds, and walnuts),
alcohol group, serine is needed for the metabolism of eggs, chickpeas,
fats, fatty acids, and cell membranes; muscle growth;
and a healthy immune system.
Threonine Threonine (symbol Thr or T) is an amino acid that is lean beef, soy, pork,
used in the biosynthesis of proteins. It contains an α- chicken, liver
amino group (which is in the protonated −NH +
Leucine Leucine is a dietary amino acid with the capacity to chicken, beef, pork,
directly stimulate myofibrillar muscle protein fish (tuna)
synthesis. This effect of leucine arises results from its
role as an activator of the mechanistic target of
rapamycin (mTOR), a serine-threonine protein kinase
that regulates protein biosynthesis and cell growth.
Isoleucine Isoleucine in the body is to boost up the energy levels eggs, soy protein,
and to assist the body in recovering from strenuous seaweed
physical activity. Isoleucine is considered as an
essential amino acid which is found in lots of
proteins.
Methionine Methionine is an amino acid. Amino acids are the sesame seeds, Brazil
building blocks that our bodies use to make proteins. nuts, and some other
Methionine is found in meat, fish, and dairy products. plant seeds
It plays an important role in the many functions
within the body.
Proline Proline is an essential component of collagen, and Lamb, Veal, Game
therefore is vital for proper functioning of joints and Products, Sausages
tendons. Besides, this amino acid helps maintain and Luncheon Meats, Egg
strengthen heart muscles. Products
Phenylalanine Phenylalanine is an amino acid found in many foods milk, yogurt, eggs,
and used by your body to produce proteins and other
 important molecules. It has been studied for its cheese
effects on depression, pain and skin disorders.
Asparagine Asparagine is known for its key role in the Beef, eggs, fish
biosynthesis of glycoproteins. In addition, it is also
essential for the synthesis of many other proteins.
Human nervous system also needs this amino acid to
be able to maintain an equilibrium.
Glutamine Glutamine is a medical food product that is used to Cabbage, spinach,
supplement dietary sources of glutamine. glutamine carrots
is used to treat a glutamine deficiency, or a loss of
glutamine caused by injury or illness. Glutamine is
also used in combination with human growth
hormone to treat short bowel syndrome
Aspartic Acid Aspartic acid is commonly used to reduce feelings of oysters, luncheon
tiredness, improve athletic performance, and increase meats, sausage meat
the size and strength of muscles. But there is limited
scientific research to support these uses.
Glutamic Acid Glutamic acid is an amino acid used to form proteins. Poultry, eggs, dairy
In the body it turns into glutamate. This is a chemical products
that helps nerve cells in the brain send and receive
information from other cells. It may be involved in
learning and memory.
Tyrosine Tyrosine is given as a supplement to increase Cheese, soybeans,
tyrosine levels in people with PKU. Tyrosine has chicken
been used in alternative medicine as a possibly
effective aid in improving mental performance,
alertness, or memory. Tyrosine has also been used to
treat depression or attention deficit disorder (ADD or
ADHD).
Cystine Cysteine is one of the few amino acids that contains Red peppers, garlic,
sulfur . This allows cysteine to bond in a special way onion
and maintain the structure of proteins in the body.
Cysteine is a component of the antioxidant
glutathione . The body also uses cysteine to produce
taurine , another amino acid.
Lysine Lysine is an amino acid (building block of protein). Spirulina, cheese,
People use it to make medicine. Lysine is used for eggs
preventing and treating cold sores (caused by the
virus called herpes simplex labialis). It is taken by
mouth or applied directly to the skin for this use
Arginine In the body, the amino acid arginine changes into nitric Nuts, seaweeds, meat
oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter
that helps blood vessels relax and also improves
circulation. Some evidence shows that arginine may help
improve blood flow in the arteries of the heart.
Histidine Histidine is an amino acid. Amino acids are the Poultry, nuts,
building blocks of protein in our bodies. People use wholegrain
histidine as medicine. Histidine is used for
rheumatoid arthritis, allergic diseases, ulcers, and
anemia caused by kidney failure or kidney dialysis