Essential Nutrients Flashcards
What are the essential nutrients for life?
Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals, nucleic acids
Water is also essential for life but is not classified as a nutrient.
What role do vitamins and minerals play in the body?
Help in chemical reactions
Often found in complex chemicals.
What is the primary function of lipids?
Energy storage and structural components of cell membranes
What are nucleic acids composed of?
Sugar, phosphate, and nitrogen bases
What is the primary energy source of cells?
Carbohydrates
What are proteins composed of?
Amino acids
What is the typical ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in carbohydrates?
1:2:1
Fill in the blank: Carbohydrates are often described as _______ nutrients.
energy
What foods are high in carbohydrates?
Potatoes, bread, corn, rice, fruit
True or False: The human body can synthesize carbohydrates.
False
What process do plants use to synthesize carbohydrates?
Photosynthesis
What happens to excess carbohydrates in the body?
Stored as fat
What are the two types of sugar units in carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides and disaccharides
What are the common monosaccharides?
Glucose, galactose, fructose
What is the significance of carbohydrates in an athlete’s diet?
Provide maximum energy reserves before a race
