AMINO ACIDS &

PROTEINS
C, H, O, N, S

© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

 Proteins
• Is a naturally occurring, unbranched polymer in which the
monomer units are amino acids.
• Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many
critical roles in the body. They do most of the work in cells
and are required for the structure, function, and regulation
of the body’s tissues and organs.
• Protein is an important component of every cell in the
body. Hair and nails are mostly made of protein. Your body
uses protein to build and repair tissues. You also use
protein to make enzymes, hormones, and other body
chemicals. Protein is an important building block of bones,
muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.
Amino acids
• amino group, carboxyl group, hydrogen and a
variable side group (residue) each joined to a
central carbon atom
• The amino acid found in proteins are always α-
amino acids.

H2N-C-COOH

H
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
 Amino acids
• α-amino acid – is an amino acid in which the amino group
and the carboxyl group are attached to the α-carbon atom.

• All amino acids found in proteins have this basic structure,

differing only in the structure of the R-group or the side
chain.
• The simplest, and smallest, amino acid found in proteins is
glycine for which the R-group is a hydrogen (H).
Types of amino acids
• Amino end and carboxyl end can be ionised NH3+
and COO- to give acidic and basic characteristics
• At pH 7 both groups are ionised
• The residues are side chains which give the
individual properties to the amino acid (acidic,
basic, neutral and nonpolar).

© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

Functions of amino acids
• Protein synthesis, energy reserves, hormones
(thyroxine)
• 20 different amino acids used in protein
synthesis though others do occur in nature

© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

Amino acids
• Standard 20 amino acids- is one of the 20 α-amino acids
normally found in proteins.
• There are four categories:
A.Nonpolar amino acid
B.Polar neutral amino acid
C.Polar acidic amino acid
D.Polar basic amino acid
• Non-polar amino acid- is an amino acid that contains one
amino group, one carboxyl group, and a non-polar side
chain. When incorporated to protein, such amino acid are
hydrophobic.
Essential Amino Acids
• is a standard amino acid
needed for protein
synthesis that must be
obtained from dietary
sources because the body
cannot synthesize it in
adequate amounts from
other substance
Complete dietary protein
• is a protein that contains all of the essential AA in the
same relative amounts in which the body needs them.

Incomplete dietary protein

• is a protein does not contain adequate amounts, relative
to the body's needs, of one or more of essential amino
acids

Limiting amino protein

• is an essential amino AA that is missing, or present in
inadequate amounts, in an incomplete dietary protein
Complementary dietary proteins
• two or more incomplete dietary proteins that, when
combined, provide an adequate amount of all essential
AA relative to the body's need

• Rice + Beans
Cysteine: Unique Amino Acid
• only standard amino
acid that has sulfhydryl
group -SH group in
the structure