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==Overview==

==Overview==

Amino acids are the structural components of proteins in all plants, animals and fungi. Amino acids are considered either '''indispensable (essential)''' and '''dispensable (non-essential)'''. Essential amino acids are those that are required pre-formed in the diet as the animal either lacks the metabolic pathway to synthesise the given amino acid or is unable to make sufficient quantities for growth and normal physiologic/biochemical functions. Non-essential amino acids are those that can be produced endogenously from available nitrogen and carbon sources. There are nine essential amino acids required by humans which are: methionine; lysine; phenylalanine; histidine; threonine; tryptophan; and the branched-chain amino acids, leucine, isoleucine, and valine. In addition to these 9 amino acids, dogs also have a requirement for arginine. Cats have a requirement for the same essential amino acids as the dog, plus the amino-sulfonic acid taurine.

Amino acids are the structural components of proteins in all plants, animals and fungi. Amino acids are considered either '''indispensable (essential)''' or '''dispensable (non-essential)'''. Essential amino acids are those that are required pre-formed in the diet as the animal either lacks the metabolic pathway to synthesise the given amino acid or is unable to make sufficient quantities for growth and normal physiologic/biochemical functions. Non-essential amino acids are those that can be produced endogenously from available nitrogen and carbon sources. There are nine essential amino acids required by humans which are: [[Methionine and Cysteine - Nutrition|methionine]]; [[Lysine - Nutrition|lysine]]; [[Phenylalanine and Tyrosine - Nutrition|phenylalanine]]; [[Histidine - Nutrition|histidine]]; [[Threonine - Nutrition|threonine]]; [[Tryptophan - Nutrition|tryptophan]]; and the branched-chain amino acids, [[Branched-Chain Amino Acids - Nutrition|leucine, isoleucine, and valine]]. In addition to these 9 amino acids, dogs also have a requirement for [[Arginine - Nutrition|arginine]]. Cats have a requirement for the same essential amino acids as the dog, plus the amino-sulfonic acid [[Taurine - Nutrition|taurine]].

In addition to their structural role in proteins, amino acids can be utilized as energy substrates during periods of fasting or starvation. Amino acids are able to provide a carbon skeleton for either glucose production or synthesise ketone bodies, or both. Exclusively gluconeogenic amino acids are arginine, histidine, methionine (+ cysteine), threonine, and valine; leucine and lysine are strictly ketogenic; and isoleucine, phenylalanine (+ tyrosine), and thryptophan are both gluconeogenic and ketogenic. Amino acids are also important components of biologically active compounds such as the neurotransmitters serotonin and catecholamine’s, nucleotides, nitric oxide and many others.

In addition to their '''structural role in proteins''', amino acids can be utilized as '''energy substrates during periods of fasting or starvation'''. Amino acids are able to provide a carbon skeleton for either glucose production or synthesise ketone bodies, or both.  

*Exclusively '''gluconeogenic amino acids''':

**[[Arginine - Nutrition|arginine]]

**[[Histidine - Nutrition|histidine]]

**[[Methionine and Cysteine - Nutrition|methionine (+ cysteine)]]

**[[Threonine - Nutrition|threonine]]

**[[valine]]

**[[leucine]]

*Both '''gluconeogenic and ketogenic''':

**[[Phenylalanine and Tyrosine - Nutrition|phenylalanine (+ tyrosine)]]

**[[Tryptophan - Nutrition|thryptophan]]

 

Amino acids are also important components of biologically active compounds such as the [[Neurotransmitters - Anatomy & Physiology|neurotransmitters]] serotonin and catecholamine’s, nucleotides, nitric oxide and many others.

==Additional Reading==

==Additional Reading==

#National Research Council (NRC). Protein and Amino Acids. In Nutrient Requirements for Dogs and Cats. 2006 Washington, DC: National Academies Press p.111-120.

#National Research Council (NRC). Protein and Amino Acids. In Nutrient Requirements for Dogs and Cats. 2006 Washington, DC: National Academies Press p.111-120.

#Case LP, et al. Protein Requirements. In Canine and Feline Nutrition: A resource for Companion Animal Professionals. 2011 Third Ed. St. Louis: Mosby p.95-106.

#Case LP, et al. Protein Requirements. In Canine and Feline Nutrition: A resource for Companion Animal Professionals. 2011 Third Ed. St. Louis: Mosby p.95-106.