Human Nutrition. Flashcards
What is nutrition?
Nutrition is the taking in of materials for energy, growth and development.
What is a balanced diet?
A balanced diet provides all the nutrients, in the correct amounts, needed to carry out the life processes and to ensure good health and growth.
People use different amounts of energy depending on what?
People use different amounts of energy depending on their age, gender, and degree of activity.
What are the necessary food groups?
The necessary food groups are:
- Carbohydrates (Glucose and starch).
- Proteins.
- Lipids or Fats and Oils.
- Vitamins.
- Minerals.
- Dietary Fibre.
- Water.
What is the dietary importance of proteins (4)?
- Growth and repair of muscles and cells.
- Used as enzymes in reactions.
- Transporting other molecules such as hemoglobin.
- Used in cells to produce new proteins by protein synthesis.
What is the dietary importance of fats/ lipids or oils (3)?
- Storage of energy in fat.
- Myelin sheath provides insulation under the skin and keeps the body warm.
- Forms part of the cell membrane in seeds.
What is the dietary importance of carbohydrates?
- Carbohydrates are used as a source of energy in respiration in cells for active transport, muscle contraction and cell division.
- Excess carbohydrates are stored as glycogen or fat.
What is the dietary importance of Water (3)?
- Necessary for chemical reactions to take place in cells.
- Waste removal from the body.
- Temperature regulation.
What is deficiency disease due to a lack of carbohydrates and proteins?
Lack of carbohydrates and proteins leads to marasmus.
What is marasmus?
Deficiency disease of carbohydrates and proteins which causes the wasting away of muscle leading to weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting and fatigue.
What is a deficiency disease of proteins that is not marasmus and give the 4 signs?
Kwashiorkor.
Signs include swollen abdomen, thin arms and legs, red hair and irritability.
What is scurvy and what are the 4 signs?
A deficiency disease of Vitamin C.
Signs include bleeding gums, teeth falling out, skin covered with bruises and poor healing of wounds.
What is rickets and what is the sign?
A deficiency disease of Vitamin D.
Sign include bones becoming soft and deformed.
Why do bones become soft and deformed when you lack Vitamin D in your diet?
This is because Vitamin D is needed for absorption of calcium into the body which is a key component of bones and teeth.
What are the signs of a Calcium deficiency?
Brittle bones and teeth.
