Week 1 - Nutrition Flashcards
Name the six types of nutrients
- Water
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Proteins
- Minerals
- Vitamins
State the major source of energy for the body
Carbohydrates
Name the three monosaccharides that are absorbed
- Glucose
- Fructose
- Galactose
State the end products of digestion of triglycerides
- Cholesterol
- Fat-soluble Vitamins
- Fatty Acids
- Glycerol
- Monoglycerides
State the 5 types of lipids
- Fatty Acid
- Triglycerides
- Phospholipids
- Steroids
- Prostaglandins
State the function of Fatty Acids
Used as an energy storage, if Glucose isn’t available for energy the body will use fatty acids to fuel the cells instead
State the function of Triglycerides
Protection from injury, insulation from the cold and energy storage
State the function of Phospholipids
Component of cell membranes & lipoproteins
State the function of Steroids
Chemical compounds made up of rings of carbon atoms, play an essential role in physiological functions including:
- growth
- energy metabolism
- development
- homeostasis
- reproduction
State the function of Prostaglandins
Local hormones released from damaged cells that intensify the effects of histamine and induce pain
What is the overall function of lipoproteins?
Transport lipids in the blood
Why do we need lipoproteins?
Because Triglycerides and cholesterol are insoluble in water, so don’t circulate freely in the blood
How are triglycerides and cholesterol transported?
In the core of lipid-protein complexes called lipoproteins
How are lipoproteins described?
By their density
Name the three different types of Lipoproteins
- Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)
- Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
- High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
What is the function of VLDL?
Deliver triglycerides to adipose tissue
What is the function of LDL?
Transport cholesterol to peripheral tissues
What is the function of HDL?
Remove excess cholesterol from the peripheral tissues
Describe the clinical significance of raised LDL
LDL deposits the excess cholesterol in the artery wall where it forms into fatty plaque. This builds up to block arteries causing strokes and heart attacks
What is cholesterol used for?
- Make hormones
- Cell membranes
- Store it for later
State the end product of the digestion of proteins
Amino Acids
What is the overall function of Amino Acids?
Absorbed into the blood & delivered to cells. These cells use the amino acids as building blocks to manufacture the proteins they need
Name seven different types of proteins
- Structural Proteins
- Hormones
- Contractile Proteins
- Antibodies
- Haemoglobin
- Enzymes
- Neurotransmitters
What is the function of Structural Proteins?
Provide strength (eg. Collagen in bones)
What is the function of Hormones?
Acts as the body’s chemical messenger, they carry information and instructions from one set of cells to another
What is the function of Contractile proteins?
Allow shortening of muscle cells
What is the function of antibodies?
Provide protection against foreign cells & bacteria
What is the function of haemoglobin?
Transports oxygen in red blood cells
What is the function of enzymes?
Speed up chemical reactions
What is the function of Neurotransmitters?
Transmit signals from nerve cells to target cells
Name the four fat-soluble vitamins
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
What is the function of Vitamin A?
- Helps form and maintain healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucus membranes, and skin,
- Formation of photoreceptors in retina
What is the function of Vitamin D?
Maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus.
What is the function of Vitamin E?
Promote wound healing, prevent scarring, function, formation of RNA, DNA & RBC’s, Protects cell membranes from being destroyed
What is the function of Vitamin K?
Plays a role in blood clotting, bone metabolism, and regulating blood calcium levels.
Explain the function of antioxidant vitamins
They inactivate oxygen free radicals and protect against damage to the body
Name the 9 minerals
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Iodine
- Zinc
- Fluoride
Function of Calcium
Needed for blood clotting, bone , nerve and muscle formation
Function of Phosphorus
Aids in bone formation and used to make ATP,DNA,RNA and phospholipids
Function of Iron
Required for enzyme reactions, RBC formation & function
Function of Magnesium
Normal functioning of muscle & nervous tissue, formation of bone, aids other enzymes
Function of Sodium
Essential for nerve and muscle function and maintaining fluid balance
Function of Potassium
Conduction of action potentials in neurons & muscle tissue
Function of Iodine
Required for thyroid hormone synthesis
Function of Zinc
Growth, wound healing, taste & appetite, reproductive function, protein digestion, helps other enzymes
Function of Fluoride
Improve tooth structure (enamel)
Function of Vitamin B12
Red blood cell formation
How many groups of different vitamins do we have?
2, water-soluble and fat-soluble
Name 3 differences between the water and fat-soluble vitamins
FAT-SOLUBLE:
- Need dietary lipids to aid efficient absorption
- Can be stored for later use.
- Vitamin K is made in the large intestine from bacteria
WATER-SOLUBLE:
- Absorbed with water in digestive system
- Cannot be stored in the body
- Excess quantities are excreted in the urine
Name the fat-soluble vitamins
Vitamin:
- D
- E
- K
- A
Name the water-soluble vitamins
Vitamin:
- B
- C
