What is an essential amino acid

Question

Question 1: What are proteins? What element is found in protein that is not found in carbohydrate and lipid?

Question 2: What are amino acids? How many different amino acids are there? How many different unique proteins are found in our body?

Question 3: What is an essential amino acid? A nonessential amino acid?

Question 4: How does our genetic code impact proteins?

Question 5: What is protein turnover?  Figure 6.7 gives a good summary of how amino acids are used in the body.

Question 6: What is denaturation? Give an example.

Question 7: What is a limiting amino acid? An incomplete protein? A complete protein? Give some examples.

Question 8: Do we have to eat meat and dairy to get complete proteins? How can we make complete proteins from plant foods? Understand the concept of mutual supplementation and complementary proteins.

Question 9: What is the enzyme in the stomach that starts digesting protein?

Question 10: Be familiar with the concept of protein quality--what two factors determine protein quality?

Question 11: Why do we need proteins?  (List some of the functions of protein discussed). What is an enzyme? Why does insufficient protein cause edema?  Does eating more protein than we need improve immune function?  Can proteins supply energy? Is protein normally a big contributor to energy needs?

Question 12: What is beneficial about soybeans?  Do soy-based foods reduce incidence of heart disease and cancer?

Question 13: What is a lacto-ovo-vegetarian? A vegan?

Question 14: What are some of the food-safety issues that lead some people to follow vegetarian diets?  What are some of the environmental impacts of livestock production?

Question 15: What are some of the health benefits of a vegetarian diet? What are some challenges?

Question 16: What are some nutrients of concern in vegan diets and what are some potential solutions?

Question 17: What is marasmus and what are some of the symptoms? How does it differ from kwashiorkor?

Question 18: Nutrition Myth of Fact:  What population groups might require protein intakes higher than the current RDA?