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