Properties and functions of amino acids

Amino acids are the main building material of any living organism. By their nature, they are the primary nitrogenous substances of plants that are synthesized from the soil. The structure and functions of proteins and amino acids depend on their composition.

Amino acid structure

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 denoted by the formula below.

Amino acids that have 1 acid and 1 alkaline group are called monoaminomonocarboxylic. In organisms, amino acids are also synthesized , the structure and functions of which determine 2 carboxyl groups or 2 amine groups. Amino acids containing 2 carboxyl and 1 amine groups are called monoaminodicarboxylic, and those having 2 amine and 1 carboxylic acid are called diaminomonocarboxylic.

They are also different 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 acid and alkali 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 a building material

A protein molecule is a chain of tens or hundreds of amino acids. Proteins differ in composition, amount 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 of which functions are similar to the proteins of the human body, are not used as food, since they are poorly soluble and are not split by the digestive tract. These include proteins of nails, hair, wool or feathers.

The function of amino acids is difficult to overestimate. These substances are the main food in the diet of people. What is the function of amino acids? They increase muscle growth, help strengthen joints and ligaments, restore damaged body tissues and are involved in all processes occurring in the human body.

Essential Amino Acids

Essential amino acids can only be obtained from supplements or foods . Functions in the process of forming healthy joints, strong muscles, beautiful hair are very significant. These amino acids include:

• phenylalanine;
• lysine;
• threonine;
• methionine;
• valine;
• leucine;
• tryptophan;
• histidine;
• isoleucine.

The 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 lack significantly impairs the functioning of the whole organism.

1. Valin renews muscles, serves as an excellent source of energy.
2. Histidine improves blood composition, promotes muscle recovery and growth, improves joint function.
3. Isoleucine helps produce hemoglobin. Controls the amount of sugar in the blood, increases a person’s energy, endurance.
4. Leucine strengthens the immune system, monitors the level of sugar and white blood cells 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 collagen production, improves hair structure. For men, this is a great anabolic, as it builds muscle and increases masculine strength.
6. Methionine normalizes the digestive system and liver. Participates in the breakdown of fats, removes toxicosis in pregnant women, has a beneficial effect on hair.
7. Threonine improves 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 - the hormone of happiness, thereby normalizing sleep, uplifting. It tames appetite, charitable effect on 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 stunting, metabolic disturbance, and a decrease in muscle mass.

Essential Amino Acids

These are such 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 amino acids

1. Cysteine ​​eliminates toxic substances, participates in the creation of skin and muscle tissues, and is a natural antioxidant.
2. Tyrosine reduces physical fatigue, speeds up metabolism, eliminates stress and depression.
3. Alanine is used for muscle growth, is a source of energy.
4. Aspartic acid increases metabolism and reduces the formation of ammonia under heavy loads.
5. Cystine eliminates pain when injuring ligaments and joints.
6. Glutamic acid is responsible for brain activity, during prolonged physical activity goes into glucose, generating energy.
7. Glutamine restores muscle, boosts immunity, speeds up metabolism, enhances brain function and creates growth hormone.
8. Glycine is essential for muscle function, fat breakdown, stabilization of blood pressure and blood sugar.
9. Carnitine transfers fatty acids to cells, where they break down with the release of energy, as a result of which excess fat is burned and energy is generated.
10. Ornithine produces growth hormone, is involved in the process of urination, breaks down fatty acids, and helps the production of insulin.
11. Proline provides collagen production, it is necessary for ligaments and joints.
12. Serine enhances immunity and produces energy, it is needed for the rapid metabolism of fatty acids and muscle growth.
13. Taurine breaks down fat, increases 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 a huge number of living creatures to exist: 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 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 independently create a specific spatial structure characteristic of a particular protein. By their 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 the growth and development of the body are impossible without the function of protein amino acids to build new cells. Proteins cannot be replaced with 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 acts as 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, 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.

Products - Protein Sources

The muscles and skeleton of a person are composed of living tissues, which throughout life not only function, but are also updated. Recover after damage, retain their strength and strength. To do this, they require well-defined nutrients. Food provides the body with the energy necessary for all processes, including muscle function, growth and tissue 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 products provide the body with protein and provide the energy necessary for life.