Chapter 7- Human Nutrition Flashcards
What are examples of some essential nutrients?
Amino acids Unsaturated fatty acids Minerals Calcium Vitamins Water
Why are some nutrients essential and some non-essential
The nutrients that are non essential, another nutrient can be used for the same purpose or because they can be made in the body from another nutrient - essentials can’t
Examples of no -essential nutrients?
Glucose
Starch
Carbohydrates
What is an example of conditionally essential nutrients
Vitamin K is produced by the metabolism of symbiotic bacteria in the intestine- infants don’t have colonies of this bacteria so at birth they are given supplementary injections
What is vitamin C what does it do
Is a compound called ascorbic acid- needed for the synthesis of the collagen fibres that form
Part of the tissue in the body- most plants and animals can synthesis vitamin c in the body
Why in some animals do it they not produce vitamin C?
Due to mutations that led to genes no longer producing the protein necessary to make vitamin C- due to mutation in the GLO gene which codes for the production of the enzyme l-guluno- lactone oxidase
Examples of mammals that cannot produce Vitamin C
Fish- Ray-finned-cod, salmon, herring
Humans
Chimpanzees
Apes
What can be the cause of a lack of vitamin C
Scurvy
Why are some amino acids essential in the body?
-of the 20 amino acids only half are that essential because they cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities- other half can be made from nitrogen compounds
Example of essential amino acids in body
1) threonine and arginine are conditionally essential
Threonine can be synthesized if phenalanine is present
Arginine is produced by healthy living individuals
Example of essential fatty acids?
Omega-3
Omega-6
They cannot be synthesized in the body
Name 3 essential amino acids
Threonine
Arginine
Lysine
Valine
What does a lack of essential amino acids affect?
The production of proteins
What is a lack of essential amino acids that affects the production of protein called?
Protein deficiency malnutrition
Why may essential amino acids by lacking?
Due to overall insufficiency of protein in the diet or to an imbalance in the types of protein
Consequences of protein deficiency malnutrition?
Causes a lack of blood plasma proteins which results in fluid being retained in tissues - causes swelling
Child development may be mentally and physically retarded with stunted growth and development disabilities
Adults may undergo serious weight loss
How much minerals are needed on the diet?
Relatively small quantities
What are minerals
Chemical elements