Nutrition

Question 1

Why is a balanced diet important?

Answer 1

A balanced diet is important to ensure you get all of the right nutrients, in the right quantities.

Question 2

What 6 groups are needed for a balanced diet?

Answer 2

Carbohydrates, proteins, fats/lipids, fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Question 3

What is the function of carbohydrates in the diet?

Answer 3

To provide energy.

Question 4

What are the functions of proteins in the body?

Answer 4

For growth and repair.

Question 5

What are the functions of lipids in the body?

Answer 5

As an energy store.

Question 6

What is vitamin A used for?

Answer 6

To aid with eyesight and vision.

Question 7

What is vitamin C used for?

Answer 7

To help with growth and repair of tissues in the body.

Question 8

What is vitamin D used for?

Answer 8

To help with the internal absorption of calcium.

Question 9

What is calcium used for in the body?

Answer 9

For bones and teeth.

Question 10

What is iron used for in the body?

Answer 10

For making haemoglobin for red blood cells, which carries oxygen.

Question 11

What is dietary fibre used for?

Answer 11

To help all food pass smoothly through the digestive system.

Question 12

What is water used for in the body?

Answer 12

As a transport medium, as a reaction medium, and for thermoregulation.

Question 13

Compare the energy requirements of more and less active people

Answer 13

The more active a person is, the more energy they require.

Question 14

Describe how energy requirements change as we age

Answer 14

The energy we require increases as we reach adulthood.

Question 15

What is the alimentary canal?

Answer 15

The tube through which food passes in the digestive system, comprising the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus.

Question 16

What is the difference between the alimentary canal and the digestive system?

Answer 16

The digestive system includes accessory organs, like the liver, gallbladder and pancreas.

Question 17

Describe the passage of food through the alimentary canal

Answer 17

Food enters in the mouth, passes down through the oeseophagus by peristalsis, then moves to the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine, before being stored in the rectum and leaving the body through the anus.

Question 18

What is the function of the mouth?

Answer 18

To mechanically digest food by chewing, and to produce saliva containing enzymes to start to chemical digest food.

Question 19

What is the oesophagus?

Answer 19

The muscular tube which connects the mouth and the stomach.

Question 20

What does the stomach do?

Answer 20

The stomach produces acid which chemically digests food, proteases which digest protein, and mechanically digests with the muscular wall.

Question 21

What role does the pancreas play in digestion?

Answer 21

The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and digestive juices.

Question 22

What are the two parts of the small intestine called?

Answer 22

The duodenum and the ileum.

Question 23

What is the function of the duodenum?

Answer 23

Bile and digestive juices are added here.

Question 24

What is the function of the ileum?

Answer 24

To absorb nutrients.

Question 25

How is the ileum adapted for absorption?

Answer 25

Folds in the lining called villi increase surface area, and a vast capillary network provide a good blood supply.

Question 26

How are villi adapted for absorption?

Answer 26

Good capillary network, so a good blood supply to maintain concentration gradient, and microvilli which increase the surface area.

Question 27

What is the function of the large intestine (colon)?

Answer 27

To absorb water.

Question 28

What is the function of the rectum?

Answer 28

To store faeces before they are removed from the body.

Question 29

How does peristalsis work to push food through the gut?

Answer 29

Peristalsis refers to muscular contractions which push food along.