Amino Acids and Plasma Proteins

These flashcards cover key concepts related to amino acids, their classifications, catabolism, and roles in metabolism and health, as well as important plasma proteins.

Glucogenic Amino Acids

Amino acids that contribute to gluconeogenesis (GNG) directly or indirectly.

Ketogenic Amino Acids

Amino acids that can give rise to acetyl-CoA, fatty acids, or ketones, but cannot be converted to glucose; include leucine and lysine.

Essential Amino Acids

Amino acids that must be obtained through diet, as the body cannot synthesize them.

Nonessential Amino Acids

Amino acids that can be synthesized by the body; includes alanine, asparagine, and aspartate.

Conditionally Essential Amino Acids

Amino acids that are normally nonessential but become essential under certain conditions, such as arginine.

Amino Acid Catabolism

The process by which amino acids are broken down for energy, with different amino acids leading to various metabolic byproducts.

Succinyl-CoA

A metabolic intermediate involved in amino acid catabolism, derived from valine, isoleucine, methionine, and threonine.

Oxaloacetate

An important intermediate in the Krebs cycle that can be derived from aspartate and asparagine.

Fumarate

An intermediate in the TCA cycle, produced from aspartate, phenylalanine, and tyrosine.

Pyruvate

A key metabolic intermediate that can be formed from serine, threonine, cysteine, alanine, tryptophan, and glycine.

Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA)

Amino acids that include isoleucine, leucine, and valine, which are important for energy production.

Glutamate

An amino acid that plays a critical role in nitrogen metabolism and is a precursor for GABA.

Albumin

A major plasma protein that transports fatty acids, bilirubin, Ca2+, and drugs.

Immunoglobulins

Antibodies produced by plasma cells that play key roles in the immune response.

Acute Phase Proteins

Proteins that increase or decrease in response to inflammation; includes α1-antitrypsin and CRP.

Maple Syrup Urine Disease

A metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency of the BCKAD complex, leading to a sweet-smelling urine.

Carnitine

A compound synthesized from lysine and important for the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter synthesized from tryptophan, involved in regulation of mood and sleep.

Histamine

A neurotransmitter involved in allergic reactions and inflammatory responses, derived from histidine.