Biomolecules and Food Tests Flashcards
What are macronutrients?
Macronutrients are nutrients that the body needs in large quantiles such as carbohydrates, lipids/oils and proteins
What are micronutrients
Micronutrients are nutrients required only in small amounts, they are vitamins and minerals.
What is a balanced diet?
A diet that contains the adequate intake of biological molecules + energy to sustain body/health/growth
What are the biological molecules in Carbohydrates and Lipids and Fats?
Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen
What are the biological molecules in Protein?
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen
What are the functions of lipids?
Provide Insulation
Stores fat-soluble vitamins
Source of energy
Produces hormones
Provides cellular support
What are the chemical properties of lipids?
Does not mix in water
Oil is less dense than water
Energy Rich
What are the building blocks of lipids?
glycerol and fatty acids
What are the physical properties of lipids?
Insoluble in water
Solid at room temperature (fats)
Liquid at room temperature (oils)
What is the function of carbohydrates?
provide energy
breakdown of fatty acids and preventing ketosis
store energy
supports body functions and physical activity
What is the chemical properties of carbohydrates ?
Fermenting either sugar cane juice or molasses diluted with water involves yeast breaking down sugar and thus producing alcohol (ethanol)
What are the building blocks of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides
What are the physical properties of carbohydrates?
Soluble in water
Long Chain & Short Chain Carbohydrates
What are the functions of proteins?
Maintains proper PH
Provides structure
Builds and repairs body tissues
Source of Energy
What are the chemical properties of protein?
Hydrolysis breaks down longer protein chains into shorter chains.
Denatured (malformed) when exposed to heat
What are the building blocks of proteins?
amino acids
What are the physical properties of proteins?
Soluble in water
Colourless
Tasteless
What are the types of carbohydrates?
simple and complex
Name the simple carbohydrates
Monosaccharides and disaccharides
Name the complex carbohydrate
polysaccharide
Explain monosaccharides and disaccharides
Simple carbohydrates are monosaccharides and disaccharides such as glucose, fructose; sucrose and lactose. They are a fast acting source of energy, like biscuits or energy bars.
Explain polysaccharides
Complex carbohydrates are polysaccharides such as starch and cellulose. These are sources of slow release energy, like rice and pasta.
Name the types of monosaccharides
glucose, fructose, galactose
Name the types of disaccharides
maltose, lactose, sucrose
Explain Cellulose
Cellulose - is found in plant cell walls and cannot be digested by humans. However, as fiber (roughage), it helps the muscles of the intestinal wall push food through the digestive system
Explain Starch
Starch - is broken down by digestive enzymes into the final product of glucose, which can be used by cells to make energy
Explain Glycogen
Glycogen - is the storage form of glucose within the human body and can be converted back to glucose when levels are low
What are vitamins
- Organic nutrients needed by the body in small quantities
- Fat-soluble vitamins
- Water-soluble vitamins
What are minerals
1) Inorganic elements that typically exist in the form of ions inside and outside of the cell.
2) Function to:
a) Establish electrochemical gradients
b) Act as cofactors to enable protein function
c) Form matrix compounds in bone and etc
Name the fat soluble vitamins
A, D, E and K
Name the water soluble vitamins
B and C
What does water soluble mean?
Dissolves in water and are passed through the blood stream
What are the fat soluble vitamins?
vitamins stored in liver and in fat around internal organs
What are enzymes?
Organic molecules, that are made of proteins. Enzymes reduce the amount of energy( needed activation energy) to start a reaction. Therefore they are called catalysts.
What are the characteristics of enzymes?
Enzymes are reaction specific, they each have a specific substrate, and they have a chemical fit between the active site and substrate.
Enzymes are sensitive to temperature
They have an optimum temperature of 37 degrees
They also have an optimum range of 35 to 40 degrees
What happens if your body temperature is too high?
If it heats up to 39-40C, the brain tells the muscles to slow down and fatigue sets in. At 40-41C, heat exhaustion is likely - and above 41C, the body starts to shut down. Chemical processes start to be affected, the cells inside the body deteriorate and there is a risk of multiple organ failure.
What happens if your body temperature is too low?
When your body temperature drops, your heart, nervous system and other organs can’t work normally. Left untreated, hypothermia can lead to complete failure of your heart and respiratory system and eventually to death. Hypothermia is often caused by exposure to cold weather or immersion in cold water.
What is the function of Vitamin A
maintenance of reproduction, vision, promotion of growth, differentiation and maintenance of epithelial tissues, gene expression
Deficiency disease for Vitamin A
Night blindness, also known as xerophthalmia, is caused by vitamin A deficiency diseases. Xerophthalmia symptoms include corneal ulcers or scars, as well as night blindness. Softening of the cornea, among other symptoms of xerophthalmia
Function of Vitamin B1
Thiamin (vitamin B1) aids the body’s cells in the conversion of carbohydrates into energy. Carbohydrates’ primary function is to provide energy to the body, particularly the brain and nervous system. Thiamin (Vitamin B1) is also involved in muscle contraction and nerve signal transmission
Deficiency for Vitamin B1
A lack of vitamin B1 frequently results in beriberi, a condition characterised by peripheral nerve problems and wasting. Anorexia and weight loss can occur. There could be mental issues, such as confusion and short-term memory loss.
Function of Vitamin C
-Keeps skin healthy
-Protects cell and helps absorb iron
-Found in fruits and vegetables
Vitamin C Deficiency
Scurvy causes bruising, gum and dental problems, dry hair and skin, and anaemia. Symptoms and, in some cases, blood tests are used to make a diagnosis. Increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as oral vitamin C supplements, usually corrects the deficiency.
Function of Vitamin D
-Helps absorb calcium
-Keeps teeth and bones strong
-Found in dairy products and eggs
Vitamin D Deficiency
Rickets is a condition that causes children to have weak or soft bones. It can be caused by a dietary deficiency or by genetic factors. Bowed legs, stunted growth, bone pain, a large forehead, and difficulty sleeping are all symptoms.
Function of Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes in several forms, but the human body only uses alpha-tocopherol. Its primary function is to act as an antioxidant, scavenging loose electrons known as “free radicals” that can cause cell damage.
Vitamin E Deficiency
A lack of vitamin E may result in impaired reflexes and coordination, difficulty walking, and weak muscles. Premature infants with the deficiency are at risk of developing a severe form of anaemia. A physical examination and symptoms are used to make a diagnosis. The deficiency is corrected by taking vitamin E supplements.
Function of Vitamin K
Vitamin K aids in the production of various proteins required for blood clotting and bone formation. Prothrombin is a vitamin K-dependent protein that plays a direct role in blood clotting. Another protein that requires vitamin K to produce healthy bone tissue is osteocalcin.
Vitamin K Deficiency
Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding, also known as VKDB? Vitamin K deficiency bleeding, also known as VKDB, occurs when babies are unable to stop bleeding because their blood lacks enough Vitamin K to form a clot. Anywhere on the inside or outside of the body can bleed
What is Water?
Water is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth’s hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms.
Percentage of Water in the human body
60%
Percentage of water in blood plasma
92%
Percentage of water in cytoplasm
70%
Sources of Water
Drinking any liquid
Drinking water
Foods we eat: fruits and vegetables
Function of water
hydrate cells
site of chemical reactions in cytoplasm
solvent dissolves many substances
removes toxins eg urine
important in fighting illness
regulates body temperature
protects tissues, spinal cord and joints
maximize physical performance
prevents constipation
aids in digestion
helps in nutrient absorption
improves blood circulation
What is Fibre?
Complex Carbohydrates that is indigestible in humans. Contains cellulose that humans cannot digest.
Types of Fibre
Soluble
Insoluble
Sources of Fibre
fruits
vegetables
grains/cereal (rice, quinoa, barley, oats)
peas
nuts
Explain Soluble Fibre
These dissolve in water and are absorbed into our blood stream at the intestines
example: grains (oats, wheat etc.)
These cereals can remove some plaque build up in the ateries
Explain Insoluble Fibre
It does not dissolve
Adds bulk to undigested foods (faeces)
Traps moisture in undigested food
