Food groups Flashcards
What is a lipid
Fats and oils
What’s the structure of a lipid
3 fatty acids, 1 glycerol
Sources of lipids
Meat, cheese, eggs, seeds, peanut
Functions of lipids
- Source of energy (and energy store)
- insulation (electrical for nerve cells and thermal beneath skin)
- form part of cell membrane
- cholesterol used to make steroid hormones
What elements are found in lipids
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
What elements are found in proteins
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur
Structure of protein
A long chain of cells called amino acids. The sequence (order) of amino acids determines the shape of the protein molecule. It can be long and thin (eg keratin) or more spherical (eg haemogoblin)
Sources of protein
Meat, fish, eggs, pulses, beans, soya bean
Functions of proteins
- catalyst (enzymes)
- transport (haemogoblin)
- structural material (muscles)
- hormones (insulin)
- defence against natural diseases (antibodies)
Give 2 examples of minerals
Iron, calcium
Source of iron
Red meat, liver, some leafy vegetables
Function of iron
Needed to produce haemogoblin for red blood cells
What happens when you don’t get enough iron (deficiency)
Iron deficiency causes anaemia. The person feels weak as oxygen needed for respiration cannot be transported efficiently
Sources of calcium
Milk, cheese, fish
Functions of calcium
- production and growth of bones and teeth
- involved in the chemical reactions leading to the clotting of blood and
the contraction of muscles
What happens when you don’t get enough calcium (deficiency) ?
Calcium deficiency causes rickets (soft and bendy bones)