Defining Your Terms

Terms often have a variety of different meanings to a variety of different people. Someone in one field may interpret a term one way, while those not in the field or in a different field think about it in a completely different way. This is why it is always important to define the terms you are using in writing. That way, the reader will be able to understand what you are writing in exactly the way you intend it to be interpreted.

Note: I have decided to change my research topic. I was having trouble finding evidence to support my past claim, so I have decided to focus on writing about the importance of carbohydrates when it comes to muscle growth and athletic performance in the gym.

In my paper, I plan to define muscle protein synthesis, muscle protein breakdown, complex carbohydrates, simple carbohydrates, muscle recovery, glycogen stores, muscle growth/hypertrophy, amino acids, and proteins. I will just discuss them as they come up in my writing so the readers understand what those terms refer to and how they all connect. These terms matter because they are used very often in my field and the average person may not understand what those are or what they mean in relation to the context of my paper.

Here is a model of a glucose molecule, which is the sugar that makes up carbohydrates.
I found it at this web address: http://www.bio.miami.edu/dana/pix/glucose.gif

Muscle protein synthesis (MPS): the production of muscle proteins for muscle tissue. This can lead to muscle growth.

Muscle protein breakdown (MPB): the breakdown of muscle proteins in muscle tissue. This can lead to loss of muscle mass.

Complex carbohydrates: Carbohydrates that are more difficult for the body to break down and act as a stable, longer term source of energy. These are found in foods like sweet potatoes, whole grains, brown rice, quinoa, etc., and stored in muscles as glycogen.

Simple carbohydrates: Carbohydrates that are very easy for the body to break down and provide a short burst of energy for the body, often found in processed foods such as white bread, white rice, and white pasta. These carbohydrates are not stored in muscles.

Muscle recovery: The rebuilding and healing of torn muscle tissue after resistance exercise.

Glycogen stores: Stored carbohydrates in muscle tissue.

Muscle growth/hypertrophy: The result of muscle protein synthesis and proper recovery which occur from exercise and nutrition.

Amino acids: The monomers (building blocks) of proteins.

Proteins: A macromolecule, along with carbohydrates and fats, that is composed of amino acids.

Here are the links to the essays we read for class:
http://vizedhtmlcontent.next.ecollege.com/CurrentCourse/bartholomae.pdf
http://vizedhtmlcontent.next.ecollege.com/CurrentCourse/LaurellJohansonBlack-SRB.pdf