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Multiple Choice
When dietary amino acids are low, the body begins breaking down proteins from which source?
A
Bone matrix
B
Adipose tissue
C
Skeletal muscle tissue
D
Red blood cells
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the context of the problem. The question is asking about the body's response to low dietary amino acids and which source of protein is broken down to compensate for this deficiency.
Step 2: Recall the role of amino acids in the body. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and they are essential for various physiological functions, including enzyme activity, muscle repair, and hormone production.
Step 3: Identify the primary storage and functional sites of proteins in the body. Proteins are not stored in the body like fats or carbohydrates. Instead, they are found in functional tissues such as skeletal muscle, bone matrix, and other cellular structures.
Step 4: Evaluate the options provided. Bone matrix primarily contains collagen and is not a significant source of amino acids during dietary deficiency. Adipose tissue stores fat, not protein. Red blood cells are not a major protein reservoir. Skeletal muscle tissue, however, contains a large amount of protein and is the primary source the body breaks down during amino acid deficiency.
Step 5: Conclude that skeletal muscle tissue is the correct answer because it serves as the main reservoir of protein that can be catabolized to release amino acids for essential metabolic processes when dietary intake is insufficient.