Proteins are substances of organic origin. Proteins are the most essential elements for living things. Non-periodic polymers, which are proteins, are different from other polymers.
The first protein was isolated in the form of gluten in 1728 by the Italian Jacopo Bartolomeo Beccari, who lived in 1682-1766, from wheat flour. Washed gluten is a complex of water-insoluble gluten, which includes proteins. From this moment, the study of protein began.
The structure of protein molecules
Their molecules are built from similar, but different monomers - 20 amino acids. Each of them has its own name, structure and properties. Its molecule is built from a specific radical and a component common to all, which includes an amino group with alkaline properties, and a carboxyl group with acidic properties. The presence of both groups in one molecule determines their high degree of reactivity.
These groups combine high-molecular nitrogen-containing organic substances, forming new polymers, which include proteins. The process is as follows: a water molecule is formed from the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl of the other, and free electrons bind to form a peptide bond. So polypeptides are formed. All that the human body can do with the help of cells is the action of proteins.
Protein biosynthesis
Protein biosynthesis is a major biochemistry issue. Deciphering it plays an important theoretical and practical role. Protein biosynthesis includes the solution of such important problems as heredity, variability, fitness, natural selection, the emergence of new types of living organisms, the study of ways to control the vital activity of organisms.
Pharmaceutical biosynthesis
Knowledge of the processes of protein biosynthesis is of great importance for the protection of health, in particular, for pharmacy, gives an explanation for the occurrence of genetic diseases, and solves the problem of their prevention and treatment. It is used for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, including antimetabolites. These drugs are used to stop the processes of protein biosynthesis in oncology: antimutagens that protect DNA from mutations; radioprotectors that protect nucleic acids from radiation changes.
Protein biosynthesis helps to uncover the principles of the effects of drugs, such as antibiotics, which inhibit protein biosynthesis in microorganisms and viruses at various stages.
What about proteins?
The protein or protein may be of animal or plant origin. What protein refers to? A huge source of protein is green plants, soy products, grains, nuts and beans. When an animal consumes plant food, then in its body plant protein turns into animal protein. Therefore, animal protein is found in meat, milk, raw eggs. A person has a choice to eat plant or animal foods rich in protein.
The digestibility of various proteins
Of course, proteins in the same group differ in their properties. Depending on which proteins the product belongs to, it has different digestibility. Some are quickly absorbed and accelerate metabolism, while others can simply slag the body. Consider which substances are proteins.
The leader among the proteins that are quickly absorbed is the egg. It needs to be eaten after training, because the egg does not leave behind a layer of fat, such as other proteins of animal origin.
Fish is an excellent source of protein, it is easily digested and does not cause heaviness in the stomach. As for animal meat, it is the undisputed leader in the amount of protein in 100 g. And if you eat 250 g of meat, then our body will receive a daily norm of protein. But poultry meat is somewhat compromised by its protein content, but it is lean and easier to digest.
As for vegetable proteins, the leader is soy, in which the protein content is almost the same as that of an egg. You should add seeds to your diet, the protein percentage of which reaches the values of poultry meat, but because of their high calorie content, they need to be consumed a little.
The use of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in the diet
If we approach nutrition from the point of view of science, then a person does not need specific foods, but their elements for the growth and vital activity of the body. These are 3 groups of substances: proteins, fats, carbohydrates. All of them must be present in a specific amount every day, otherwise there may be malfunctions in the body and poor health. There is also a certain ratio between these substances, which must be adhered to.
Nutritionists recommend building your diet, taking into account the following norm: 15% protein, 20% fat and 65% carbohydrates. Of course, this is an average proportion: it depends on the specific organism, growth parameters, weight and age of the person. Therefore, subjective figures should be determined by contacting a nutritionist or trainer.
Protein work
High-molecular biological compounds, which include proteins, are broken down into amino acids, which penetrate the blood and saturate the body, and he uses them to build his proteins. In order for the body to acquire strong muscles and a beautiful fit appearance, it is necessary to replenish the diet with proteins. There are enough of them in fish and meat, eggs and cheese, legumes and soy products. The diet should be calculated on the basis of the daily norm of all ingredients, as well as from the goals set.
Those who want to pump up muscle should increase protein intake, and those who are losing weight should reduce their intake of high-carb and fatty foods. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates are the main sources of energy and strength. On average, for a healthy diet and maintaining a normal weight, a person needs to take proteins, fats, carbohydrates with food in the following proportion: 90-110 / 90-100 / 250-300 g. For children, these figures are slightly less.
Protein foods and daily servings:
- chicken, turkey, lean ham - 75 g;
- pork, lamb, beef - 45 g;
- oily fish - 30 g; lean fish, seafood - 60 g;
- beans, lentils - 2 tbsp. l .;
- bacon - 1 lean slice;
- fish sticks - 2 pcs.;
- low-fat hummus - 1 tbsp. l .;
- eggs - 1 pc.;
- nuts - 15 g.
Muscles are built from protein, and human food must contain it, because it is a source of strength. Squirrels of fish and birds are absorbed best. Products such as legumes, cereals, and soy also contain proteins, and, moreover, a small amount of fat, cheeses and sour-milk products are not far behind.
Interesting about proteins
More than 4 billion years ago, on the planet Earth from insignificant inorganic molecules, proteins appeared incredibly that became the origin of life. All life exists thanks to unique protein molecules, and other forms of life in the Universe are unknown to scientists.
- Every living organism is made of proteins. They occupy about 50% of the dry matter of any of the organisms. Viruses contain protein from 45 to 95%.
- About 30% of the human protein comes in the muscles, about 20% in the bones and tendons, and about 10% in the skin.
- There are 1012 different protein substances that give life to organisms of all levels of complexity, from viruses to people.
- The brain is also a protein. It should be remembered that due to the process of protein denaturation when ethyl alcohol enters the body, brain cells die.
- Squirrels owe their name to egg white; it has been used by people since ancient times as a component of food.
- The role of proteins in the body is the most diverse, they can act as enzymes. Pepsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids in the body.
- Proteins have a protective effect. Interferon is a protein that saves the human body from the invasion of viruses.
- Proteins can play the role of hormones, an example is the hormone insulin. It promotes the entry of glucose into the cell.
- Proteins realize the energy task for the body.
- Hair is made from pure protein.
Protein Structures
There are 4 spatial organizations of protein molecules:
- primary - created by peptide bonds, it determines the properties of protein molecules;
- secondary, in the form of a stretched spring, is built of peptide and hydrogen bonds (tendons, nails, hair, cobwebs);
- spherical, hydrogen and disulfide bonds (enzymes, antibodies, hormones);
- Quaternary - consists of alpha and beta chains (hemoglobin).
Each protein is assigned a genetic code, which stores information about what form it should take, but even now geneticists are not able to predict its spatial structure by the primary code. For the protein to work, it needs to curl up in a certain way.
It is very important to know what foods contain protein, what it is and how much it needs to be consumed. Why? But because the protein, burning in the body, saturates it with a large amount of energy. It is after high-protein food that we feel a surge of strength, it is the protein that builds each of our muscles and creates a beautiful and healthy body. Equally important is the fact that protein helps to lose weight or maintain weight after losing weight.
Protein Related Products
No wonder protein diets are recognized as the most effective among nutritionists, because the body spends a lot of energy on processing protein foods , about 5-10% of the calories received.
List of the most protein foods.
- Chicken eggs contain 17% of easily digestible protein. Nutritionists advise eating eggs after exercise, but not more than 2 pieces per day to resume muscle tissue. At the same time, eggs are a low-calorie product.
- Fat-free cottage cheese contains 25% protein, it is easily digested.
- Hard cheese has about 30% protein, but you should remember that it is too high in calories, and the fatter it is, the less protein it contains.
- Poultry meat is the main source of dietary nutrition, as its calorie content is small and well absorbed. Poultry meat contains from 15 to 20% protein.
- Beef is a low-calorie product and generous in protein. Just one serving of lean beef contains about 22 grams of protein.
- The liver consists of 25% protein. Boiled and stewed is very useful, as it is rich in other necessary elements.
- Some varieties of fish contain up to 25% protein, for example, tuna, salmon, and mackerel. Such fish can be used as food without fear of getting better.
- Soy is considered the richest protein product from plants, it contains 14% protein, and Brussels sprouts (9%) are among the vegetable leaders.
- Cereals contain at least 10% protein, which is perfectly absorbed by the body.
These are the main products related to proteins. The list that is given here is far from complete, but takes into account the basic needs of the body for protein.
Conclusion
The human body needs energy all the time. Even during sleep, the body is in motion: we breathe, the heart works, cells are renewed in the body, and endless chemical processes occur. This requires energy: we get it by consuming and processing food. Food contains the substances necessary to activate the complex mechanisms of life processes. These are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, water, salts, fiber, trace elements and vitamins. During digestion, the body takes the necessary elements, and gets rid of unnecessary elements.