Properties and functions of amino acids

Amino acids - 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 functions of proteins and amino acids depend on their composition.

Structure of amino acid

Each of its molecules has carboxyl and amine groups that are linked to a radical. If the amino acid contains 1 carboxyl and 1 amino group, its structure can be designated by the formula shown below.

Amino acids, which have 1 acid and 1 alkali group, are called monoaminomonocarboxylic. In organisms, amino acids are also synthesized , the structure and functions of which are determined by 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 carboxylic are diaminomonocarboxylic.

They also differ in the structure of the organic radical R. Each of them has its own name and structure. Hence the various functions of amino acids. It is the presence of acidic 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 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 whole composition of essential amino acids, others do without one or several. Individual amino acids, a structure whose functions are similar to the proteins of the human body, are not used as food, since they are sparingly soluble and not digested by the gastrointestinal tract. To such belong the proteins of nails, hair, wool or feathers.

Functions of amino acids can not be overestimated. These substances are the main food in the diet of people. What is the function of the amino acids? They increase the growth of muscle mass, help strengthen joints and ligaments, restore damaged tissues of the body and participate in all processes occurring in the human body.

Essential amino acids

Only from additives or food products can you get essential amino acids. Functions in the process of forming healthy joints, strong muscles, beautiful hair are very significant. Such amino acids include:

• Phenylalanine;
• lysine;
• Threonine;
• Methionine;
• Valine;
• Leucine;
• Tryptophan;
• Histidine;
• Isoleucine.

Functions of amino acids irreplaceable

These bricks perform the most important functions in the work of every cell of the human body. They are invisible, while they enter the body in sufficient quantity, but their lack substantially worsens the work of the whole organism.

1. Valine renews muscles, serves as an excellent source of energy.
2. Histidine improves blood composition, promotes the recovery and growth of muscles, improves joint function.
3. Isoleucine helps in the production of hemoglobin. Controls the amount of sugar in the blood, increases the energy of a person, endurance.
4. 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.
5. Lysine helps the absorption of calcium, which forms and strengthens bones. Helps to produce collagen, improves hair structure. For men, this is an excellent anabolic, as it increases muscle and increases male strength.
6. Methionine normalizes the digestive system and the liver. Participates in the breakdown of fats, removes toxicosis in pregnant women, it has a beneficial effect on the hair.
7. Threonine improves the function of the digestive tract. Increases immunity, participates in the creation of elastin and collagen. Threonine prevents the deposition of fat in the liver.
8. Tryptophan is responsible for human emotions. It produces serotonin, a hormone of happiness, thereby normalizing sleep, raising the mood. Tames the appetite, charity affects the heart muscle and arteries.
9. Phenylalanine serves as a transmitter of signals from nerve cells to the brain of the head. Improves mood, suppresses unhealthy appetite, improves memory, increases susceptibility, reduces pain.

Deficiency of essential amino acids leads to a halt in growth, a violation of metabolism, a 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 amino acids of interchangeable

1. Cysteine eliminates toxic substances, participates in the creation of skin and muscle tissue, it is a natural antioxidant.
2. Tyrosine reduces physical fatigue, speeds up metabolism, eliminates stress and depression.
3. Alanine is used to grow musculature, it is a source of energy.
4. Aspartic acid increases metabolism and reduces the formation of ammonia at high loads.
5. Cystine removes pain when injuring ligaments and joints.
6. Glutamic acid is responsible for brain activity, during prolonged physical exertion passes into glucose, generating energy.
7. Glutamine restores muscle, increases immunity, accelerates metabolism, strengthens the brain and creates growth hormone.
8. Glycine is essential for muscle function, fat splitting, blood pressure stabilization and blood sugar.
9. Carnitine moves fatty acids into cells, where their splitting takes place with the release of energy, resulting in the burning of excess fat and generating energy.
10. Ornithine produces growth hormone, participates in the process of urination, splits fatty acids, helps insulin production.
11. Proline provides the production of collagen, it is necessary for ligaments and joints.
12. Serine increases immunity and produces energy, is needed for rapid metabolism of fatty acids and muscle growth.
13. Taurine splits fat, raises the body's resistance, synthesizes bile salts.

Protein and its properties

Proteins, or proteins, are high-molecular compounds with a nitrogen content. The concept of "protein", first designated by Berzelius in 1838, comes from the Greek word and means "primary", which reflects the leading importance 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. They are much larger than other macromolecules, because proteins are the foundation of a living cell. About 20% of the mass of the human body, more than 50% of the dry mass of the cell. Such a variety of proteins is explained by 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 create independently a certain spatial structure inherent in a particular 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 growth and development of the body are impossible without the function of protein amino acids to build new cells. Proteins can not be replaced by other elements, their role in the human body is extremely important.

Functions of proteins

The need for proteins is in such functions:

• It is necessary for growth and development, as it is the main building material for the creation of new cells;
• Controls the metabolism, during which energy is released. After eating, the metabolic rate increases, for example, if the food consists of carbohydrates, the metabolism is accelerated by 4%, if from proteins - by 30%;
• Regulate the water balance in the body, thanks to its hydrophilicity - the ability to attract water;
• Strengthen the work of the immune system, synthesizing antibodies that protect against infection and eliminate the threat of disease.

Products - sources of proteins

Muscles and the human skeleton are made up of living tissues that, over a lifetime, not only function, but are also updated. They are restored after damage, retain their strength and strength. To do this, they need quite certain nutrients. Food provides the body with the energy necessary for all processes, including muscle work, growth and tissue repair. A protein in the body is used 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, walnuts. All these products provide the body with protein and provide the energy necessary for life.