Macronutrients Flashcards
What are the 3 main groups of macronutrients?
Carbohydrates (sugars and starch), fats (saturated and unsaturated) and protein.
Why is starch a vital nutrient in the diet?
Source of slow release energy
What are carbohydrates the only source of?
Dietary glucose
What are the two categories of sugars?
Intrinsic and extrinsic
Which enzyme breaks down starch?
Amylase and maltase
What is the main differences between fats and oils?
Fats are solid at room temperature whereas oils are liquid, fats tend to be saturated and oils tend to be unsaturated.
What is the function of fat in the body?
- Insulation
- Protection of vital organs
- Concentrated energy source
What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?
Saturated fats do not contain a double bond between carbon atoms and unsaturated fats do contain them, which results in a kink in the chain
What does protein consist of?
Compounds of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen as well as chains of amino acids
How many different amino acids can be found in plants and animals protein?
20, in which 8 of these have to be provided by the diet
What are essential amino acids and how many are there?
Nine are essential to your diet because your cells cannot manufacture them
What is meant by the biological values of foods?
How many of the essential amino acids are present, high = all , low = lack one or more
Which foods contain a HBV?
Animal sources of protein, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cheese and yogurt
Which foods contain a LBV?
Protein sources from plants include; peas, beans, lentils, cereals such as rice, wheat flour, pasta, nuts & seeds
What is the function of protein in the body?
- Can act as a secondary energy source if carbohydrates are not present
- Growth and repair of muscles
- Form structural elements of all body cells
