IntroductionIntroduction
Protein is another crucial macronutrient. An essential part of human nutrition, they are second only to water in the body's composition. Protein makes up about 20 percent of our body weight and is the primary component of muscles, hair, nails, skin, eyes, and the heart and brain. Composed of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, protein is made of smaller building blocks called amino acids.
Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Identify the structure and function of protein in the body.
- Differentiate between such terms as essential and non-essential proteins and complete and incomplete proteins.
- Analyze a day's personal intake of protein and connect this to good nutrition principles.
- Evaluate current trends in protein consumption in the US and compare them to true nutritional needs.
