Nutrition and Metabolism Flashcards
Nutrients
Substances in food that provide energy and materials for growth, maintenance, and repair of body tissues.
Calories
Units of energy derived from food and beverages that the body uses to maintain vital functions and perform physical activities.
Vitamins
Organic compounds that are essential for normal growth and metabolism, which the body cannot produce in sufficient amounts and must be obtained from the diet.
Minerals
Inorganic elements essential for various physiological functions in the body, such as bone formation, muscle function, and nerve transmission.
Metabolism
The sum of all chemical reactions that occur in the body to maintain life, including energy production, growth, and waste elimination.
Anabolic Reactions
Metabolic processes that build complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy.
Catabolic Reactions
Metabolic processes that break down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.
Cholesterol
A type of lipid found in the bloodstream and cells, used to build cell membranes and produce hormones, but excessive levels can lead to health problems.