WILTIMS #102: Say aa

Today in biochemistry we delved into the ridiculous complexity of amino acid metabolism, summarized very briefly to the right. The body can convert all of these building blocks of proteins into other useful molecules for energy production or other molecular synthesis. All of this is confounded by the ability of many amino acids to be inter-converted and the limited ability of some of them to be transported across the cell's various membranes.

In physiology we zoomed in on the nephron of the kidney and looked at the filtering and resorption of various solutes and disease processes that can impede this. This was pretty much entirely review for those of us that have taken physiology before, but it was nice to have a manageable amount of information presented after the barrage we received from biochem.

I also was a patient again today for one of my perpetual follow-up appointments from my bout with cancer two years ago. All clear once again! These visits always put the troubles of med school back into perspective for me. Life's pretty good, all things considered.

TIL: Though there are only 9 essential amino acids (that cannot be made by humans and thus must be consumed in the diet), most of the remaining dozen are still conditionally essential. This means that although the body can synthesis more of the molecule, certain life events (such as childhood growth or pregnancy) or disease processes (like phenylketonuria) reduce or eliminate the synthesis process, requiring supplement through the person's diet.