Explain what occurs if an essential amino acid is missing from the diet


If an essential amino acid (one the body cannot make) is missing, the building of the protein will halt. The cell cannot hold partially completed proteins to complete them later, for example, the next day. Instead, it must dismantle the partial structures and return surplus amino acids to the circulation, making them available to other cells. If other cells do not soon pick up these amino acids and insert them into protein, the liver will remove their amine groups for the kidney to excrete. Other cells will then use the remaining fragments for other purposes. The need for the production of that particular protein will not be met.

Nutritional Science

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Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to anemia and impaired metabolic reactions involving amino acids due to:

A) decreased activation and impaired absorption of vitamin D. B) decreased conversion of vitamin A to retinal. C) decreased activation and increased urinary loss of vitamin B6. D) decreased absorption of vitamin E.

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Regular aerobic physical activity

a. lowers HDL. b. increases HDL. c. increases LDL. d. has no effect on cholesterol.

Nutritional Science

Inadequate intake of _____ during pregnancy has been associated with neural-tube defects

a. vitamin D b. choline c. vitamin A d. DHA e. folate

Nutritional Science