Year 8 Biology: Food Group Protein

Protein is an important nutrient your body needs to grow, repair itself, and stay healthy. It helps build and repair muscles, bones, skin, and other tissues. Proteins are made up of small parts called amino acids. Your body needs 20 different amino acids, but it can only make some of them. The rest come from the food you eat.

Why is Protein Important?

Protein helps your body:

• Build and repair muscles and tissues.
• Produce enzymes and hormones that help your body work properly.
• Strengthen your immune system to help fight off illnesses.

Types of Protein

There are two main types of protein: complete and incomplete proteins.

1. Complete proteins contain all the amino acids your body needs. These are mostly found in animal products like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Examples of complete proteins:

• Chicken
• Fish
• Eggs
• Cheese

1. Incomplete proteins are missing one or more amino acids. These are often found in plant-based foods like beans, nuts, and grains. By combining different plant-based proteins, you can still get all the amino acids you need. Examples of incomplete proteins:

• Lentils
• Nuts
• Beans
• Brown rice

How Much Protein Do You Need?

The amount of protein you need depends on your age, size, and activity level. Growing teenagers need more protein than younger children because their bodies are growing and changing rapidly.

Tips and Tricks to Remember:

• Complete proteins = Contain all amino acids; often from animal sources.
• Incomplete proteins = Missing some amino acids; often from plant sources.
• Combining proteins = Eating a variety of plant-based proteins can provide all the necessary amino acids.

Questions on Protein

Easy Difficulty (20 Questions)

1. What is protein made of?
2. Name one animal source of protein.
3. Name one plant-based source of protein.
4. What is the main job of protein in the body?
5. True or False: Protein helps repair muscles.
6. What is a complete protein?
7. What is an incomplete protein?
8. Name two foods that are examples of complete proteins.
9. Name two foods that are examples of incomplete proteins.
10. Why do teenagers need protein?
11. True or False: Eggs are a source of complete protein.
12. Name a food that contains incomplete protein.
13. What does the body use amino acids for?
14. Name a dairy product that is high in protein.
15. True or False: Beans are a source of protein.
16. Which food group does protein belong to?
17. How does protein help your body grow?
18. Name a snack that contains protein.
19. True or False: Your body can make all the amino acids it needs.
20. Why is it important to eat protein?

Answers:

1. Amino acids.
2. Chicken, fish, beef, etc.
3. Beans, nuts, lentils, etc.
4. To build and repair tissues.
5. True.
6. A protein that contains all the essential amino acids.
7. A protein that is missing some amino acids.
8. Meat, eggs.
9. Lentils, nuts.
10. To help their bodies grow and repair.
11. True.
12. Lentils or nuts.
13. To build and repair tissues.
14. Cheese or yoghurt.
15. True.
16. Protein group.
17. It provides the building blocks for muscles and tissues.
18. Yoghurt, a boiled egg.
19. False.
20. To help build and repair your body.

Medium Difficulty (20 Questions)

1. Why are complete proteins important for the body?
2. How do incomplete proteins differ from complete proteins?
3. Name three foods that are high in protein.
4. Why do athletes need more protein than non-athletes?
5. What happens if you don’t get enough protein in your diet?
6. Explain why combining plant-based proteins is important.
7. Name two plant-based foods that can be combined to make a complete protein.
8. What are the benefits of eating protein after exercise?
9. How does protein support your immune system?
10. True or False: Milk is a complete protein.
11. Name a meal that would be a good source of protein.
12. Why are proteins important for growing children and teenagers?
13. How do enzymes relate to protein?
14. What is the role of protein in hormone production?
15. How do amino acids help with tissue repair?
16. What is the difference between animal-based and plant-based proteins?
17. True or False: Protein is only found in animal products.
18. How does protein help with muscle recovery?
19. Why is it important to get protein from a variety of sources?
20. Name a dish that includes both complete and incomplete proteins.

Answers:

1. They provide all the essential amino acids the body can’t make.
2. Incomplete proteins are missing some essential amino acids.
3. Chicken, eggs, lentils.
4. They need more protein to repair muscles after intense activity.
5. You may feel weak, and your muscles and tissues won’t repair as quickly.
6. It helps provide all the essential amino acids.
7. Rice and beans.
8. Protein helps repair and build muscles after physical activity.
9. It helps create antibodies that fight infections.
10. True.
11. Grilled chicken with vegetables.
12. They need protein to support rapid growth and repair.
13. Enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in the body.
14. Protein helps make hormones that regulate body functions.
15. Amino acids are used to repair damaged tissues.
16. Animal-based proteins are usually complete, while plant-based are often incomplete.
17. False.
18. It provides the building blocks needed to repair muscle tissue.
19. Different sources provide a range of amino acids and nutrients.
20. A stir-fry with chicken (complete) and tofu (incomplete).

High Difficulty (20 Questions)

1. Explain the process of how the body uses protein to build muscle.
2. Why do vegetarians need to be careful about getting enough complete proteins?
3. What is the difference between essential and non-essential amino acids?
4. How does the body store excess protein?
5. Why might someone on a low-protein diet feel tired or weak?
6. What is the relationship between protein and enzymes?
7. Describe how a high-protein diet might affect kidney function.
8. Why are protein shakes popular among athletes?
9. How does protein help the body recover from an injury?
10. What are the potential risks of eating too much protein?
11. Explain the role of protein in red blood cell production.
12. How does the body break down protein during digestion?
13. Why are amino acids called the “building blocks” of protein?
14. What are the signs of a protein deficiency?
15. Compare the benefits of animal-based protein vs. plant-based protein.
16. How do amino acids affect brain function?
17. What role does protein play in keeping skin healthy?
18. Why might someone with certain health conditions need more protein?
19. Explain the process of protein synthesis in the body.
20. Why is it important to eat protein in every meal?

Answers:

1. Protein is broken down into amino acids, which are then used to build muscle tissue.
2. They may need to combine different plant-based foods to get all essential amino acids.
3. Essential amino acids must come from food; non-essential amino acids are made by the body.
4. It doesn’t store protein directly; excess is converted into fat or used for energy.
5. Protein provides energy and strength; a lack of it can lead to weakness.
6. Enzymes are proteins that help with chemical processes like digestion.
7. Too much protein can strain the kidneys as they work to process it.
8. Protein shakes help athletes quickly recover and build muscle.
9. It provides the materials needed to repair damaged tissues.
10. It can lead to kidney strain and increased fat storage.
11. Protein is used to make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood.
12. Protein is broken down into amino acids in the stomach and intestines.
13. Amino acids are used to build and repair tissues in the body.
14. Weakness, slow healing, hair loss.
15. Animal-based proteins are usually complete, while plant-based proteins often need to be combined.
16. Certain amino acids help produce neurotransmitters that support brain function.
17. Protein helps produce collagen, which keeps skin firm and healthy.
18. Some conditions like injury or surgery require more protein for healing.
19. Protein synthesis involves creating new proteins from amino acids.
20. Eating protein regularly ensures a steady supply for tissue repair and energy.

This explanation and set of questions are designed to help Key Stage 3 students understand protein and its importance in their diet.