Exam 2

• • when two amino acids are joined together, they are no longer complete, called an amino acid residue
• moiety - protein or nonprotein part
• catabolism of proteins

  • most catabolism of proteins occurs in digestive tract
  • proteins broken into amino acids
• catabolism of proteins

  • catabolism also occurs in the kidney and liver
  • amino acids are deaminated
• albumin

  1. Adult levels are 3.5 - 5.5 g/dL
  2. Levels slightly lower during first year of life
• albumin

  1. Found decreased in inadequate amino acid supplies
  2. Malnutrition - not getting enough protein in diet, so decreases 
  3. Muscle wasting diseases
• a-1 globulins increases in inflammatory reactions, pregnancy, contraceptive use
• biggest danger of trypsin: catabolize structural proteins via hydrolysis
• a-1 fetoproteins

  • Levels of AFP rise by 13 weeks gestation and then fall dramatically just before the 34th week of gestation
• • Complex of haptoglobin and hemoglobin is removed by mononuclear phagocytic system (previously known as reticuloendothelial system) within minutes of formation
• a-2 microglobulin controls site and/or extent of inflammation
• b2-microglobulin is usually filtered out by glomerulus but reabsorbed in proximal tubule
• biuret method

  • Reagent contains antioxidant and a chemical to prevent copper precipitation in alkaline solutions