Nutrients Flashcards
Metabolism
all of the chemical reactions that take place in a living organism
Catabolism
large molecules are broken down into smaller ones, release energy
Anabolism
small molecules are built up into larger ones, require energy
Nutrients
Nutrients are the chemical compounds that make up foods, essential for growth, repair and maintaining the body.
Carbohydrates (organic)
sugars and starches.
Main uses:
Carbohydrates are used mainly as an energy source for cellular respiration, Some combine with other substances, Can be stored in the liver and in muscle cells as glycogen.
Sugars
digestive system breaks down the digestible carbs into sugar, which enters the blood
Three types of sugars
Monosaccharide sugars - are single sugar molecules that are the building blocks for all other sugars and carbohydrates
Disaccharide sugars – consist of two monosaccharide units, linked together with glycoside to form a glycosidic bond.
Polysaccharides- Long chains (or polymers) of simple sugars, Starch, glycogen and cellulose, Not sweet and do not dissolve in water.
Lipids (Organic)
fats & oil,
LIPIDs = FATTY ACIDS + GLYCEROL
Main uses:
Insulation, energy source
Low and high density lipids
Low density lipids (bad)- carry cholesterol from the liver to the tissues. LDL can start the formation of plaque and increased levels are associated with cardiovascular disease.
High density lipids (good)-collect cholesterol from the tissues, and bring it back to the liver.
Triglycerides
Most lipids are triglycerides, one glycerol molecule attached to three fatty acid molecules, fat is ‘saturated’ or ‘unsaturated’.
Proteins
A molecule made up of amino acids. Proteins are needed for the body to function properly.
Main uses-muscle development, imune system, enzymes
complex and incomplete portions
Complete proteins- (animal proteins, such as most meats, eggs & milk) contain the full range of amino acids.
Incomplete proteins- (mainly plant proteins, such as grains & legumes) contain low levels of one or more of the essential amino acids.
Essential amino acids
Essential amino acids are the nine amino acids that cannot be produced by the body and must therefore be obtained from the diet.
Nucleic Acids (Organic)
Made up of nucleotides: containing a nitrogen base, sugar + a phosphate.
Vitamins Inorganic
Vitamins are essential in small quantities for normal health, act as coenzymes or help regulate metabolic processes.
