Protein
by Judy Martin
Scranton High School
1. When it comes to energy they provide,
complex and simple carbohydrates and protein
are all created equal. 1 gram of protein = 4
calories. One gram of carbohydrate= 4 calories.
However, proteins have unique building roles in
the body.
Protein
They are used mainly to
help the body grow and
repair worn-out or
damaged parts. About
1/5 of your body’s total
weight is protein. Your
hair, eyes, skin,
muscles, and bones are
made up of proteins.
Protein
The protein you eat
help maintain them in
good condition.
Protein also regulate
important body
process. They play a
major role in fighting
disease because part
of your immune
system are proteins.
Protein
2. Proteins are found
mainly from animal
sources. Good sources
are: meat, poultry, fish,
eggs, and dairy
products.
Proteins found from
plant sources are found
in: dry beans and peas,
peanuts, vegetables,
and grain products.
Protein
Excess amounts are
broken down and
stored by the body
as fat. High protein
intake can stress the
kidneys as the body
works to break down
the extra protein.
Protein
3. Proteins are
made of chains of
chemical building
blocks called amino
acids. Your body
needs 22 amino
acids to work
properly.
4. Your body can make all
but 9 of the 22 known amino
acids. (Your body can make
13) * Note textbooks differ on
these numbers.
FYI--- The protein in egg
has a biological quality
greater than any other
natural food. Egg protein
contains all the essential
amino acids in the exact
proportions required by the
body for optimum growth
and maintenance of lean
metabolically active tissue.
Protein
5. The amino acids
your body cannot
make must come
from the foods you
eat so these are
called essential
amino acids.
Protein
6. There are some
foods that supply all 9 of
the amino acids. They
are meat, poultry, eggs,
dairy products, and soy
products. Soy beans are
the only “plant” food that
can supply all 9 amino
acids. The foods that
can supply all 9 amino
acids are called
complete proteins.
Protein
Vegetables (plant foods) have
only some of the essential
amino acids but not all of
them. (Except soybeans!)
They are called
incomplete
proteins. Vegetables
differ in the amino acids they
contain. You should vary the
vegetables you eat, so you
can get all the essential
amino acids. Especially if you
are a vegetarian!!!
Quick Summary
Protein is made up of chemical
building blocks called amino acids.
Your body needs 22 amino acids
(depending on textbook).
Your body can make all but 9
amino acids.
The 9 your body can’t make are
called essential amino acids. It is
“essential” that you get these from
the foods you eat.
If a food has all 9 in it, it is called
complete protein. (meat, fish,
poultry, dairy, eggs, cheese)
{animal products} Soybeans {plant}
is the only plant food source that is
a complete protein.
Vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans,
peas, legumes are sources of
incomplete protein. Incomplete
protein has some (but not all 9) of
the essential amino acids, so you
should vary vegetables you eat.
Questions
1. How many calories per gram does protein
have?
2. What is the main function of protein?
3. Proteins are found mainly in what food
source?
4. What happens to excess protein?
5. What are the chemical building blocks that
make up protein called?
6. How many amino acids does your body
need?
Questions
7. How many amino acids can your body NOT make?
8. Where do you get the amino acids that you need,
but your body cannot make?
9. The amino acids needed by the body that it cannot
make are called?
10. Food that contain all 9 amino acids are called?
11. Food that contain only some of the 9 essential
amino acids are called?
12. Name 3 food sources of complete proteins.
13. Name 3 food sources of incomplete proteins.
SCORING
EXCHANGE PAPERS WITH A
CLASSMATE AND SCORE HIS/HER
ANSWERS.
ANSWERS
1. 4
2. They play a major role in helping the body grow and
repair damaged or worn-out body parts. Help maintain
the body. They also help fight disease and are part of
your immune system.
3. Mainly food of animal sources.
4. Excess protein are broken down by the body and
stored as “fat”.
5. Amino Acids
6. 22 (in our text book, 20 in some other textbooks)
7. 9 (in our text book)
8. From the food you eat.
9. Essential amino acids.
10. Complete proteins
11. Incomplete proteins
12. meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese,
milk, soybeans
13. Beans, peas, nuts, seeds, legumes,
vegetables