PROTEINS

WHAT IS PROTEINS?
• Proteins are large molecules that our cells
need to function properly. They consist of
amino acids. The structure and function of our
bodies depend on proteins. The regulation of
the body's cells, tissues, and organs cannot
happen without them.
•Muscles, skin, bones, and other parts of the
human body contain significant amounts of
protein, including enzymes, hormones, and
antibodies.
•Proteins also work as neurotransmitters.
Hemoglobin, a carrier of oxygen in the
blood, is a protein.
WHAT ARE PROTEINS?
• Proteins are long chains of amino acids that
form the basis of all life. They are like machines
that make all living things, whether viruses,
bacteria, butterflies, jellyfish, plants, or human
function.
•The human body consists of around
100 trillion cells. Each cell has
thousands of different proteins.
Together, these cause each cell to do
its job. The proteins are like tiny
machines inside the cell.
AMINO ACIDS AND PROTEINS
• Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.
• There are around 20 amino acids.
• These 20 amino acids can be arranged in
millions of different ways to create millions of
different proteins, each with a specific function
in the body.
THE 20 DIFFERENT AMINO ACIDS THAT THE BODY
USES TO SYNTHESIZE PROTEINS ARE:
1. Alanine 11. leucine
2. arginine 12. lysine
3. asparagine 13. methionine
4. aspartic acid 14. phenylalanine

5. cysteine 15. proline

16. serine
6. glutamic acid
17. threonine
7. glutamine
18. tryptophan
8. glycine 19. tyrosine
9. histidine 20. valine
10. isoleucine
TYPES OF PROTEIN
• there are three types of protein foods:

1. Complete proteins: These foods contain all

the essential amino acids. They mostly occur in
animal foods, such as meat, dairy, and eggs.
2. Incomplete proteins: These foods
contain at least one essential amino acid,
so there is a lack of balance in the
proteins. Plant foods, such as peas,
beans, and grains mostly contain
incomplete protein.
3. Complementary proteins: These
refer to two or more foods containing
incomplete proteins that people can
combine to supply complete protein.
Examples include rice and beans or
bread with peanut butter.
WHAT DO PROTEINS DO?
• Proteins play a role in nearly every biological
process, and their functions vary widely.
• The main functions of proteins in the body are to
build, strengthen and repair or replace things, such
as tissue.
• Protein is one of the essential nutrients, or
macronutrients, in the human diet, but not all the
protein we eat converts into proteins in our body.
• When people eat foods that contain amino
acids, these amino acids make it possible for
the body to create, or synthesize, proteins. If
we do not consume some amino acids, we will
not synthesize enough proteins for our bodies
to function correctly.
• There are also nine essential amino acids that
the human body does not synthesize, so they
must come from the diet.
•The nine essential acids that the human
body does not synthesize are: histidine,
isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine,
phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan,
and valine.
•Foods that contain these nine essential
acids in roughly equal proportions are
called complete proteins. Complete
proteins mainly come from animal sources,
such as milk, meat, and eggs.
•If you have enough protein
throughout the day, there is no
risk of a deficiency.
DEFICIENCY
• Protein deficiency due to a low intake of
protein in the diet.
• Worldwide, however, a lack of protein in the
diet is a matter of concern, especially when it
affects children. It can lead to problems
of malnutrition, such as kwashiorkor and
marasmus. These can be life-threatening.