Properties and Functions of Amino Acids in the Body

found at the catalytic (active) site in proteins and enzymes due to its amine containing side chain

plays important role in cell division, the healing of wounds, stimulation of protein synthesis, immune function, and the release of hormones

required for the generation of urea

necessary for the removal of toxic ammonia

required for the synthesis of creatinine (degredation to creatinine)

waste product cleared from the body by the kidney

basic amino acids due to its imidazole side chain

direct precursor of histamine

involved in immune response

important source of carbon atoms in the synthesis of purines

a nitrogen base that make up DNA and RNA

important in growth and repair of body tissues and to maintain the myelin sheat

important in manufacture of red and white blood cells

helps to protect the body from heavy metal toxicity

stimulates the secretion of the digestive enzyme gastrin

acts as a catalytic site in certain enzymes

branched chain amino acids

branched-chain that helps maintain, heal, and repair muscle tissue, skin, and bones

needed for hemoglobin formation

helps regulate blood glucose leveles and maintain energy levels

second most common amino acid found in proteins besides glycine

in conjuction with valine and isoleucine, boost the healing of muscles, skin, and bones

aids in the recovery from surgery and lowers blood glucose level

necessary for the optimal growth of infants and for nitrogen balace in adults

has a net positive charge, which make it one of the three basic amino acids

plays a role in the production of antibodies and lowers triglyceride levels

important in growth and bone development in children

maintain a proper nitrogen balance in adults

helps in the absorption and conservation of calcium

plays important role in the formation of collagen, a component of cartilage and connective tissue

helps to initiate translation of mRNA by being the first amino acid incorporated into the N-terminal position of all proteins

source of sulfur - for normal metabolism and growth

assist in the breakdown of fats, helps to detoxify lead and other heavy metals

helps diminish muscle weakness, and prevents brittle hair

reacts with ATP to contribute to the synthesis of many important substances, including epinephrine and choline

non-polar amino acid- hydrophobic nature of its benzyl side chain

promotes alertness and vitality

elevates mood, decrease pain

aids memory and learning, and is used to treat athritis and depression

used by the brain to produce norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that transmits signals between nerve cells

uses an active transport channel to cross blood brain barrier and in large quantities, interferes with the production of serotonin

part of the composition of aspartame - common sweetener used in prepared foods as sugar replacement

plays a key role in the biosynthesis of other amino acids

alcohol containing amino acid

important component in the formation of protein, collagen, elastin, and tooth enamel

important in the production of neurotransmitter and health of nervous system

helps maintain proper protein balance in the body and aids liver function, metabolis, and assimilation

formed from proteins during digestion by the action of proteolytic enzyme

precursor for serotonin and melatonin, a neurohormone and powerful antioxidant

natural relaxant; it helps alleviate insomnia by inducing sleep, soothes anxiety, and reduces depression

used in the treatment of migraine headaches, aids in weight control by reducing appetite, and helps control hyperactivity in children

branched-chain amino acid that is a constituent of fibrous protein in the body

needed for muscle metabolim and coordination, tissue repair, and maintenance of nitrogen balance

used by muscle tissue as an energy source

used in treatments for muscle, mental, and emotional problems; insomnia; anxiety; and liver and gallbladder disease

one of the simplest amino acid involved in the energy-producing breakdown of glucose

a products of the breakdown of DNA of the dipeptides, anserine and carnosine, and the conversion of pyruvate, a pivotal compound in carbohydrate metabolism

plays a major role in the ransfer of nitrogen from peripheral tissue to the liver

helps in reducing the buildup of toxic substances that are relased into mscle cells when muscle protein is broken down quickly to meet energy needs

strengthen the immune system through production of antibodies

first isolated in 1806 from asparagus juice- the first amino acid to be isolated

the beta amide of aspartic acid synthesized from aspartic acid and ATP

one of the principal and frequently the most abundant of the amino acids involved in the transport of nitrogen

main function: converting one amino acid into another via amination and transamination

process by which an amino group is introduced into an organic molecule

reaction when an amino acis is transferred to an a-ketoacid. asparagine is required by the nervous system and plays important role in the synthesis of ammonia

plays an important role in the synthesis of ammonia

it is alanine with one of the beta hydrogens replaced by a carboxylic acid group

plays a vital role in metabolism during construction of other amino acids and metabolites in the citric acid cycle

amino acids that are synthesized by aspartic acid

also a metabolite in the urea cycle and participated in gluconeogenesis - generaton of glucose from non sugar carbon substrates

may be essential for infants, elderly, and individuals with certain metabolic diseases or malabsorption syndromes

imporant structural and functional component of many proteins and enzymes

named after cystine

potentially toxic and is catabolized in the gastrointestinal tract and blood

absorbed during digestion as cystine, which is more stable in the gi tract

used as a constituent in the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries. largest aplication; production of flavors

synthesized from a number of amino acids. it is one of the two amino acids that have negative charge

formed when an amino group is added to glutamic acid

serves as a neurotransmitter and its dysregulation has been linked to epileptic seizures

important in the metabolism of sugars and fats an aids transporting potassium into the spinal fluid

present in a wide variety of foods and is responsible for one of the five basic tastes of the human sense of taste (umami)

often used as a food additive and flavor enhancer in the form of its sodium salt, monosodium glutamate

most abundant amino acid in the body - involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid

TRUE OR FALSE: over 61% of skeletal muscle tissue is glutamine

converted to glucose when more glucose is required for energy and aids in immune function

assists in maintaing the proper acid/ alkaline balance in the body, provides fuel for a healthy digestive tract, and is the basis of the building blocks for the synthesis of RNA and DNA

useful in the treatment of serious illness, injury, trauma, burns, and cancer treatment related side effects and in wound healing for postoperative patients

marketed as a supplement used for muscle growth in weightlifting and bodybuilding

transports ammonia to the liver

TRUE OR FALSE: ammonia is coverted into less toxic urea and is excreted by the kidneys

simplest amino acid synthesized in the body

only amino acid that is not optically active and has no steroisomers

essential for synthesis of nucleic acids, bile acids, proteins, peptides, purines, ATP, porphyrins, hemoglobin, glutathione, creatinine, bile salts, glucose, glycogen, and other amino acids

utilized by the liver to help in the detoxification of compounds and to helps in the synthesis of bile acids

has a sweet taste and is used as a sweetener/ taste enhancer

an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system

serves as a metal complexin gagent, retards muscle degeneration, improves, glycogen storage, and promotes healing

precursor of hydroxproline, which is manufactured into collagen, tendons, ligaments, and heart muscle by the body

involved in wound healing , plays important roles in molecular recognition, and is an important component in certain medical woud dressings that use collagen to stimulate wound healing

helps in the healing of cartliage and in the strenghtening of joints, tendons, and heart muscle, and it works with vitamin C to promote healthy connective tissue

second amino acid that is also an alcohol because of its methyl side chain, which contains hydroxy group

needed for the proper metabolism of fats and fatty acids

important role in the body's synthetic pathways for pyrimidines, purines (making it important for DNA and RNA function), creatinine, and poryphyrins

highly concentrated in all cell membranes

component of the protectice myelin sheaths surrounding nerve fibers

aids in the production of immunoglobulins and antibodies for the maintenance of a healthy immune system

metabolically synthesized from the important amino acid phenylalanine to become the para-hydroxy derivative of phenylalanine

precrsor of the adrenal hormones, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine and the thyroid hormoes, including thyroxine

important in overall metabolism, aiding in the functions of the adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary glands

stimulates metabolism and the nervous system, acts as a mood elevator, suppresses appetie, and helps reduce body fat, making i tuseful in the treatment of chronic fatigue, narcolepsy, anxiety depression, low sex drive