Biochemistry Discussion - Fats and Proteins Assignment

Biochemistry Discussion - Fats and Proteins - Assignment Example Fats can be broken down to yield energy by lipolysis, after which beta-oxidation takes place in the mitochondria to give acetyl CoA that continues to the Krebs cycle yielding ATP, water, and carbon dioxide. Ketosis happens in extended starvation when large amounts of fat are broken down for energy instead of carbohydrates. This is because the rate of ketone formation surpasses the ability of the liver to oxidize them. The three types of ketone bodies that arise from acetyl CoA are acetoacetate, acetone, and beta-hydroxybutyrate (Butterly & Shepherd, 2010). The brain uses these ketone bodies for energy during starvation. Under normal conditions, the liver usually uses ketone bodies in the synthesis of lipids through the process of lipogenesis. Too much ketone bodies circulating in the body causes ketoacidosis, a state that lowers the pH of the blood to harmful levels, which may interfere with the physiology of other processes. Proteins are essential components in the body because they serve numerous structural and functional purposes. Some proteins function in body movement and others function in protection against germs (antibodies). Biological processes are catalyzed by enzymes, which are protein in nature. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is the least amount of nutrients needed to meet the daily nutrient needs of an individual. However, the RDA for protein â€Å"is calculated on an average person’s ideal weight because protein is needed mainly for lean body tissue, not fat† (Protein, n.d.). This is about 0.8 grams of proteins per kilogram of body weight. For normal males between the age of 14 and 18, this value is 52 grams whereas the value changes to 56 grams for people above the age of 18. For females, it is 46 grams for everybody above the age of 14 (Protein, n.d.).