Nutrients Flashcards
What is a nutrient?
A substance found in food that is used for the body to meet important needs,
What are the 6 types of nutrients?
- proteins
- carbohydrates
- fats
- water
- vitamins
- minerals
What are proteins?
State their function(2).
Proteins are large molecules composed of chains of amino acids.
- Builds and repairs cells and tissues.
- Provide energy.
What are carbohydrates?
State their function(1).
Carbohydrates are composed of a single sugar molecule or a chain of sugar molecules.
Are the body’s main source of energy.
What are fats?
State their function(3).
Fats(lipids), are generally composed of fatty acids and glycerol. Cholesterol is also a fat.
- Store and provides energy
- The building blocks of hormones and cell membranes
- Protect organs and insulate the body from the cold
What is water used for in the body?
State their function(3).
- Transports nutrients and waste products
- Regulates body temperature
- Is essential in numerous chemical reactions in the body
What are vitamins?
State their function(4).
Vitamins are substances that the body requires in small amounts
- contributes to chemical reactions
- helps in energy production
- helps fight off infections by strengthening the body
- repairing damaged tissues
What are minerals?
State their function(4).
Each group of minerals, plays a different role in the body
- building tissue
- maintaining fluid balance in the body
- helping muscles contract
- transporting oxygen in the blood
