nutrition part 3 Flashcards
Differentiate between the different types of carbohydrates. (saccharide mono-, di-, and
polysaccharide, simple and complex carbohydrates)
Carbohydrates are categorized based on the number of sugar units they contain, with “monosaccharides” being single sugar units, “disaccharides” containing two sugar units, and “polysaccharides” having many sugar units linked together; essentially, monosaccharides and disaccharides are considered “simple carbohydrates” while polysaccharides are classified as “complex carbohydrates” due to their larger structure and slower digestion rate
Explain why we need carbohydrates and how our cells use it.
We need carbohydrates because they are the body’s primary source of energy, providing glucose which cells use to generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the molecule that powers most cellular functions; essentially, when we eat carbohydrates, they are broken down into glucose which is then absorbed by cells and used as fuel to perform various activities within the body
Define and describe the process of cellular respiration
Cellular respiration is a metabolic process where cells convert chemical energy stored in glucose molecules into a usable form of energy called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts; this process typically occurs in three stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, with the majority of ATP generation happening in the final stage within the mitochondria of the cell
Explain how nutrients are absorbed by the process of diffusion/osmosis and how a detox can
affect your body
Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream primarily through the process of diffusion, where molecules move from an area of high concentration (like the digested food in the small intestine) to an area of low concentration (the bloodstream) across a semipermeable membrane, like the intestinal lining; osmosis, a specific type of diffusion, also plays a role by allowing water to move across the membrane to balance solute concentrations, facilitating nutrient absorption; a detox can affect your body by attempting to accelerate the removal of toxins through various mechanisms, potentially impacting the normal absorption of nutrients and causing temporary digestive discomfort if not done properly
Describe how carbohydrate consumption is related to diabetes (insulin signaling).
When carbohydrates are consumed, they are broken down into glucose which raises blood sugar levels, prompting the pancreas to release insulin; insulin then signals cells throughout the body to absorb this glucose for energy, thus regulating blood sugar levels; however, excessive carbohydrate intake can lead to overstimulation of insulin production, potentially causing insulin resistance and increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels
Describe how energy flows through an ecosystem, including conversions from one form of
energy to another
Energy flows through an ecosystem primarily from the sun, where light energy is captured by plants (producers) through photosynthesis and converted into chemical energy stored in organic molecules; this energy is then transferred to consumers (herbivores, carnivores) when they eat the plants, moving through different trophic levels in a food chain, with a significant portion of energy lost as heat at each transfer, ultimately resulting in a unidirectional flow of energy from the sun to the top predators, with decomposers breaking down dead organisms to recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem
Describe and give examples of the difference between Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy and
Thermal Energy
Potential energy is stored energy due to an object’s position or configuration, like a rock on a cliff, while kinetic energy is the energy of motion, like that same rock falling down the cliff; thermal energy is the energy associated with the random movement of atoms and molecules within a substance, essentially the “heat” energy, like the warmth felt from a cup of hot coffee.
Identify the type of energy found in food, ATP, muscle contraction.
The type of energy found in food, ATP, and muscle contraction is chemical energy; food contains stored chemical energy which is converted into the usable form of ATP within the body, and when ATP is used for muscle contraction, this chemical energy is transformed into mechanical energy to produce movement
Describe the three stages of cellular respiration, including the molecules that act as the
inputs and outputs of each stage, and the structures involved
Glycolysis:
Inputs: Glucose, ATP (2 molecules)
Outputs: 2 pyruvate molecules, 2 ATP molecules, 2 NADH molecules
Key process: Glucose is split into two pyruvate molecules through a series of enzymatic reactions, generating a small amount of ATP and NADH.
2. Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid Cycle):
Inputs: Pyruvate (converted to acetyl-CoA), oxaloacetate
Outputs: 2 CO2 molecules, 3 NADH, 1 FADH2, 1 ATP per pyruvate molecule
Key process: Acetyl-CoA enters the cycle, combining with oxaloacetate to form citrate, and through a series of reactions, carbon atoms are released as CO2 while generating high-energy electron carriers (NADH and FADH2) and ATP.
3. Electron Transport Chain (Oxidative Phosphorylation):
Inputs: NADH, FADH2, oxygen
Outputs: Water, ATP (majority of ATP produced during cellular respiration)
Key process: Electrons from NADH and FADH2 are passed along a series of electron carriers embedded in the mitochondrial inner membrane, creating a proton gradient across the membrane which then drives ATP synthesis through ATP synthase.
Relate the concept of food calories to cellular respiration and the generation of ATP
Food calories represent the energy stored in food molecules, which are converted into a usable form of energy called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through the process of cellular respiration within the cells of the body; essentially, when we eat food, the body breaks down the nutrients into smaller molecules like glucose, which are then used in cellular respiration to generate ATP, the “energy currency” that powers all cellular functions
Describe how the process of fermentation produces energy in different species
Fermentation is an anaerobic process where organisms generate energy by breaking down glucose (sugar) into simpler molecules like lactic acid or ethanol, without the need for oxygen, primarily through the glycolysis pathway, producing a small amount of ATP as the usable energy source; different species utilize different types of fermentation, with the most common being lactic acid fermentation (in muscle cells) and alcoholic fermentation (in yeast), each producing distinct byproducts depending on the organism involved
Identify homeostasis and describe how is it maintained
Homeostasis refers to the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes, essentially keeping vital bodily functions within a narrow range by using self-regulating mechanisms, primarily through negative feedback loops that counteract deviations from a set point; examples include regulating body temperature, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure
Identify and Describe the three functions of the urinary system, and describe what could
happen if the system is unable to carry out its function
The three primary functions of the urinary system are: filtering waste products from the blood to produce urine, regulating blood volume and pressure, and maintaining electrolyte balance; if the urinary system cannot perform these functions, the body would accumulate waste products in the blood, leading to potential complications like fluid imbalances, electrolyte disturbances, and organ damage
