Nutrition Flashcards
Micronutrients
vital to life in varying amounts
needed by a healthy, functional human body
macromolecules
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Lipids
- Nucleic Acids
6 Vital Nutrients
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Lipids
- Water
- Vitamins
- Minerals
digestion of micro and macro nutrients
macronutrients: must be digested
micronutrients: do not need to be digested get absorbed directly into bloodstream
carbohydrates
Converted to glucose for energy
Main energy source for the body and brain
Provide short-term and long-term energy storage
2 Functions of Carbohydrates
- release quick energy to be used be calls
- Provide material to build cells
Complex Carbohydrates (polysaccharides)
made up of many sugar molecules
need to be digested and broken down into simple sugars
Starches
come from plants
can be broken down as a source of energy by plant or animal cells
Cellulose (fiber)
Does not get digested into body
technically not a nutrient because it is not digested
makes up the cell wall that is the tough, outer covering of plant cells
helps to keep our bowel movements regular
Glycogen
energy that is made and stored in animals
Simple Carbohydrates (monosaccharides)
made up of one sugar molecule
able to be absorbed in the small intestine
Glucose
main source of energy for the body
can be used immediately or stored in the body as glycogen
Extra glucose is converted to fat
fat gets stored in adipose tissues
protein
large, complex molecules
every body structure needs protein to survive
Amino Acids
Building blocks of protein, containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur
6 Functions of Proteins:
- build, strengthen and repair
- create antibodies for immune system
- make barmanes
- create enzymes - Speed up chemical RN in cells
- allow for muscle contractions
- carries and stores items in the body
complete Protein Sources
food that provides all 20 amino acids
Essential Amino Acids
Body is unable to produce these
need to get these from the food that we eat
8 in total
lipids
Non-polar molecules like fats, oils, and cholesterol, composed of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, and insoluble in water
Essential for the body, storing energy and providing half of the fuel needed for bodily functions
Excess calories are stored as fat
Phospholipid
an example of a lipid
found in the membrane of every cell in our bodies
4 Functions of Lipids:
- insulation & protection - layer of fat under skin and around organs
- digestion & absorption bile is created from fat
- helps build cell wall structures
- Creates hormones
what do lipids consist of
molecules called glycerol which are bonded to molecules called fatty acids
Fatty Acids
chains of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms
2 types: saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids
Saturated Fats
usually come from animal sources
tend to be solid at room temperature
Unsaturated Fats
usually liquid at room temperature
often considered to be “healthier” dietary fats
come from plant sources
Cholesterol
not a fat
waxy, fat-like substance
HDL Cholesterol
“good cholesterol”
high density lipoprotein
picks up extra cholesterol in the body - takes it to the liver to be broken down
LDL Cholesterol
“bad cholesterol”
low density lipoprotein
carries cholesterol through the body once it is used up, the extra LDL will remain in the blood
can cause blood clots
Hydrolysis
Chemical breakdown of macronutrients
enzymes increase the rate and efficiency of this
