Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level 5th Edition

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1118918401
ISBN 13: 978-1-11891-840-1

Chapter 6 - Proteins: Three Dimensional Structure - Exercises - Page 177: 8

Answer

Gelatin is a soluble mixture of polypeptide produced by the partial hydrolysis of collagen. Collagen is an insoluble protein of animal origin that holds organs and tissues together and gives strength to tendons. By knowing benefits of gelatin and collagen, however it is important to note that while providing the consumer with essential amino acids, gelatin and collagen are not considered as complete proteins. A complete protein is defined as a protein source which provides all essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are those that can not be synthesized in sufficient amounts by the body and therefore must be provided in the diet. Gelatin contains almost none amount of essential amino acid "tryptophan" and it has very small amounts of the essential amino acids threonine, methionine and isoleucine. So, gelatin is not considered as complete protein. Hence, gelatin is nutritionally inferior to the other types of protein.

Work Step by Step

Gelatin is a soluble mixture of polypeptide produced by the partial hydrolysis of collagen. Collagen is an insoluble protein of animal origin that holds organs and tissues together and gives strength to tendons. By knowing benefits of gelatin and collagen, however it is important to note that while providing the consumer with essential amino acids, gelatin and collagen are not considered as complete proteins. A complete protein is defined as a protein source which provides all essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are those that can not be synthesized in sufficient amounts by the body and therefore must be provided in the diet. Gelatin contains almost none amount of essential amino acid "tryptophan" and it has very small amounts of the essential amino acids threonine, methionine and isoleucine. So, gelatin is not considered as complete protein. Hence, gelatin is nutritionally inferior to the other types of protein.
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