Amino Acids: The Primary Constituents of Protein Building Blocks
Amino
Acids have dual importance in our regular diets. They form protein building blocks
essential for tissue building, replacement, and to act as intermediaries in the
metabolic process. Amino acids found in protein content are diverse and
determine the exact nature of a protein. Amino acids unlike starch or fat cannot
be stored. It needs to be made a part of the daily diet. In absence of dietary
sources,
nutritional supplements
in form of capsules, tablets, or liquids need to be taken regularly for proper
intake of amino acids.
Genetic
structure of a protein
determines the presence of specific amino acid in its molecule. The biological
activity of a protein is entirely dependent on the chemical properties of amino
acid present in it. Proteins are not
only responsible for catalyzing all living cell reactions but also control of
all cellular functions. The human body needs twenty amino acids of which ten are
produced by the body. The remaining are to be provided in form of food or in the
form of dietary
supplements.
These ten amino acids derived from external sources are so vital that even the
absence of one of them could lead to serious bodily damage or physiological
disorder
Classification of Amino Acids
Amino
acids
are compounds of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur in different
compositions. Amino
acids could be classified into essential, non-essential, and conditional
varieties. The essentials are the ones that cannot be produced by the body but
are required to be consumed regularly as nutritional supplements for proper
bodily functions.
Essential Amino Acids
The
ten amino acids produced by our body include alanine, aspartic acid, asparagine,
glutamatic acid, glycine, cysteine,
glutamine, tyrosine, serine,
and proline. These belong to non-essential class as they are produced by human
bodies themselves.
The
other ten amino acids required to be taken from external sources include
methionine,
tryptophan, lysine, histidine, phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine,
threonine, and arginine. Arginine is not required for adults but only for
children. Plants are capable of making their own amino acids, while humans need
to have these sourced from outside because of lack of certain enzymes in our
body. These ten amino
acids fall in the essential list and must be part off your regular diet.
Properties of Amino Acids
Amino
acids are crystalline by structure and are water soluble. Their dissolving
capacities in organic solvents are sparing and dependent on the nature and size
of their side chain. These acids have very high break down points ranging from
392 Fahrenheit to 572 Fahrenheit.
Importance of Amino Acids for Your Body
Amino
acids play a vital role in enzyme and protein synthesis. Enzymes for
digestion and proteins as building materials are mandatory requirements for
normal bodily activities. Amino acids also play a significant part in hormone
production, maintaining health of CNS (central nervous system) and body muscles.
Proper cellular activity is another crucial function of amino acids. Inadequate
intake of amino
acids
leads to irritation, depression, loss of concentration, and hormonal
deficiency.