Nutritional Deficiencies, Diabetes, and Biomolecules
Nutritional Deficiencies
Nutritional Oedema
- It results from a long-continued loss of protein and usually occurs in famine areas. Protein deficiency in adults is very rare.
- Deficiency symptoms include weight loss, reduced fat, infections, frequent loose stools, delayed wound healing, and oedema.
- Consuming soybeans, milk, eggs, and other nutritious foods can cure protein deficiency syndrome in adults.
Marasmus
- It is a disease of infants below one year of age.
- Its cause is protein and carbohydrate or other nutritional factor deficiencies.
- Protein and energy deficiency disease is also known as Marasmus-Kwashiorkor. Marasmus is more likely to occur in poor people.
Type 2 Diabetes
- This type of diabetes is due to inadequate secretion of insulin by B-cells of the pancreas.
- In this type of diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to it.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
Note: Normal range: 70-120mg/dl; High range: >200mg/dl
Biochemical Importance of Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates are important constituents of cell structures in the form of glycolipids, glycoproteins, heparin, cellulose, starch, and glycogen.
- Carbohydrates serve as an important source and store of energy.
- Carbohydrates are important basic materials for many organic compounds like amino acids, nucleic acids, and lipids.
- Carbohydrates are important raw materials for the industrial production of products like glucose, maltose, alcohol, acids, etc.
Functions of Lipoprotein
- Lipoproteins deliver lipid components (cholesterol, triacylglycerol, etc.) to various tissues for utilization.
- They function as transport vehicles for lipids in blood plasma.
Biosynthesis of Cholesterol
About 1g of cholesterol is synthesized per day in adults. Almost all body tissues participate in cholesterol biosynthesis. The largest contribution is made by the liver (50%), intestine (15%), skin, adrenal cortex, reproductive tissue, etc. The enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis are found in the cytosol and microsomal fractions of the cell. Acetate of acetyl CoA provides all the carbon atoms in cholesterol. Cholesterol was first isolated from bile. Cholesterol literally means ‘solid alcohol from bile.’
Functions of Cholesterol
- It is a structural component of the cell, which maintains the stability and metabolism of the cells.
- Cholesterol is the precursor for the synthesis of all other steroids in the body. These include steroid hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids.
- It is an essential ingredient in the structure of lipoproteins, in which form the lipids in the body are transported.
- Fatty acids are transported to the liver as cholesteryl esters for oxidation.
Key Terms in Biochemistry
- Biochemistry: The study of the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms.
- Carbohydrates: Polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones or compounds derived from their hydrolysis.
- Monosaccharide: Carbohydrates that cannot be hydrolyzed to simpler compounds.
- Disaccharides: Carbohydrates that give two monomeric units on hydrolysis.
- Polysaccharides: Carbohydrates that give many monosaccharides on hydrolysis.
- Proteins: Naturally occurring polymers made up of amino acids.
- Lipids: A heterogeneous group of compounds, including fats, oils, steroids, waxes, and related compounds, that are related more by their physical than by their chemical properties.
- Fatty acids: Usually contain an even number of carbon atoms in natural fats.
- Triacylglycerols (formerly triglycerides): Esters of glycerol with fatty acids.
- Lipoproteins: Molecular complexes of lipids with proteins.
- Cholesterol: Found exclusively in animals; hence it is often called animal sterol.