Nutrition part 2 Flashcards
describe different classes of lipids, what types of foods contain the different classes of lipids, and describe the differences between HDL and LDL
Lipids are a diverse group of molecules including triglycerides (fats and oils), phospholipids, and sterols (like cholesterol), with different classes found in various foods; HDL (“good” cholesterol) collects cholesterol from the body and transports it to the liver for removal, while LDL (“bad” cholesterol) deposits cholesterol in the arteries, potentially leading to plaque buildup and increased heart disease risk.
explain the need for certain classes of lipids
Different classes of lipids are necessary for various biological functions, primarily serving as energy storage, building blocks for cell membranes (particularly phospholipids), and acting as signaling molecules in the form of steroid hormones; essentially, they provide insulation, structure, and hormonal regulation within the body
describe how fats can be stored and broken down for energy
When the body consumes more calories than it needs, excess energy is stored as fat in specialized cells called adipocytes, primarily located in adipose tissue; when the body requires energy, these fat cells release fatty acids from the stored triglycerides through a process called lipolysis, allowing the fatty acids to travel in the bloodstream to be used by cells for energy production within the mitochondria through a process called beta-oxidation; essentially, fat is stored as triglycerides and broken down into fatty acids for energy usage when needed
describe the best surces for micronutrients
Organs: Liver, spleen, kidney, and heart
Small fish: Canned fish with bones
Dark green leafy vegetables: A top source of micronutrients
Shellfish: Clams, mussels, oysters, shrimp, and crab
Ruminant meat: Goat, beef, mutton, and lamb
Eggs: A top source of micronutrients
Milk: A top source of micronutrients
Pulses: Beans, peas, and lentils
Teff: A traditional grain from Ethiopia
Cheese: A good source of micronutrients
Pork: A good source of micronutrients
Yogurt: A good source of micronutrients
Fresh fish: A good source of micronutrients
Nuts: Such as cashews
identify the food groups and describe the macromolecules and micronutrients that would be primarly found in each food group
The main food groups are: grains, fruits, vegetables, protein foods (meat, poultry, fish, beans, nuts, eggs), and dairy; with the primary macromolecules found in each being carbohydrates (mainly in grains and fruits), proteins (predominantly in protein foods), and fats (most abundant in dairy and some nuts), while micronutrients like vitamins and minerals vary depending on the specific food within each group.
evaluate caloric makeup of a typical daily meal and, using data representations, compare their own typical diet to a reccomended caloric intake for their demographic
To evaluate the caloric makeup of a typical daily meal and compare it to a recommended intake, first track your food intake for a few days, noting portion sizes, then calculate the calories from each meal using nutrition labels or online databases. Finally, visualize the data using a bar chart or pie chart to compare your average daily calorie intake against the recommended range for your age, gender, and activity level based on dietary guidelines.
define diffusion (including simple and facilitaed diffusion and osmosis), osmosis, active transport, exocytosis, endocytosis, and explain whether it is an active process or passive process of membrane transport
Diffusion, simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and osmosis are all considered passive transport processes as they do not require energy, while active transport, exocytosis, and endocytosis require energy to move substances across the cell membrane.
define the difference between active processes and passive processes of membrane transport
Active membrane transport processes require cellular energy to move molecules across a cell membrane, typically against a concentration gradient, while passive membrane transport processes do not require energy and move molecules along the concentration gradient, meaning from an area of high concentration to low concentration; essentially, active transport “pushes” molecules where they wouldn’t naturally go, while passive transport lets molecules move naturally
describe the chemical composition of the plasma membrane, and relate it to membrane functions
The plasma membrane is primarily composed of a phospholipid bilayer, which acts as the structural foundation, with embedded proteins that carry out specific functions like transport, signaling, and cell recognition; this composition, known as the “fluid mosaic model”, allows the membrane to be selectively permeable, regulating what enters and exits the cell while maintaining its internal environment.
describe plasma membrane structure, and explain how the various transport processes account for the directional movements of specific substances across the plasma membrane
The plasma membrane is a selectively permeable barrier surrounding a cell, composed primarily of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins, which allows for the controlled movement of substances in and out of the cell through various transport processes, including diffusion, facilitated diffusion, active transport, endocytosis, and exocytosis, each facilitating the directional movement of specific substances based on their size, charge, and concentration gradients across the membrane.
