fats

Question 1

What are fats and oils?

Answer 1

Lipids

Question 2

The structure of fats

Answer 2

Fats are large molecules made up of the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are composed of fatty acids and glycerol. Fatty acids may be saturated or unsaturated.

Question 3

Structure of saturated fats

Answer 3

Each carbon atom in the fatty acid is combined with two hydrogen atoms

Question 4

List 3 health problems from consuming too much saturated fat

Answer 4

• high blood cholesterol which leads to an increased risk of CHD
• diabetes
• obesity

Question 5

Define unsaturated fat

Answer 5

Fatty acids that have at least one carbon atom not surrounded by hydrogen

Question 6

Define saturated fat

Answer 6

Fatty acids where each carbon atom is combined with 2 hydrogen atoms

Question 7

Define polyunsaturated fats

Answer 7

A fat molecule with more than one hydrogen space

Question 8

Define monounsaturated fats

Answer 8

A fat molecule with one hydrogen space

Question 9

The two types of unsaturated fats

Answer 9

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated

Question 10

What state are unsaturated fats at room temp?

Answer 10

They’re usually soft or liquid, and have a lower melting point. They’re found in both animal and vegetable foods

Question 11

What state are saturated fats at room temp?

Answer 11

Solid, and are mainly found in animal foods

Question 12

List 3 reasons why monounsaturated fatty acids are considered healtheir

Answer 12

• they can help to lower blood cholesterol
• they reduce the risk of diabetes
• they’re linked with a lower rate of cancer

Question 13

Define trans-fatty acids

Answer 13

Man-made molecules produced when hydrogen is added to vegetable oils - this is called hydrogenation

Question 14

What is hydrogenation used for?

Answer 14

Making solid fats from oil and is used in a variety of manufactured foods.

Question 15

List 3 health problems from consuming too much trans-fat

Answer 15

• they behave like saturated fats
• they raise your level of cholesterol
• very bad for your cardiovascular system
• may increase the risk of breast cancer

Question 16

Define essential fatty acids

Answer 16

Small units of fat that cannot be made by the body but are important for the healthy and efficient functioning of the body.

Question 17

What essential fatty acids are essential for (2)

Answer 17

Regulating body processes, including
- blood clotting
- control of inflammation

Question 18

Two important EFAs, their functions and three examples of foods they’re found in

Answer 18

OMEGA-3: helps protect the heart
- oily fish
- seeds
- walnut oil
- green leafy vegetables

OMEGA-6: helps lower cholesterol in the blood
- vegetables
- fruits
- grains
- chicken
- seeds

Question 19

State 4 functions of fat in the diet

Answer 19

• fats are used by the body for energy
• they form part of the structure of cells
• fats are stored under the skin and help insulate the body against the cold
• fats protect vital organs such as kidneys
• fat is a source of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K
• fat in our diet helps to promote a feeling of satiety (we feel full)

Question 20

List 3 health problems from consuming too much fat

Answer 20

• obesity
• CHD
• high blood pressure
• diabetes
• strokes

Question 21

List 4 ways to reduce the fat content in our diet

Answer 21

• buying lean cuts of meat
• checking the fat content of products and choosing lower-in-fat varieties
• trimming fat from meat
• choosing methods of cooking which do not include adding fat

Question 22

List 4 examples of plant fat sources in the body

Answer 22

• some fruits e.g. avocado, olives
• nuts and pulses e.g. peanuts, walnuts
• seeds e.g. sesame, sunflower, soya

Question 23

List 4 examples of animal fat sources in the body

Answer 23

• meat and meat products e.g. lard, suet
• dairy products e.g. milk, butter, cheese, cream
• oily fish e.g. tuna, salmon, sardines

Question 24

Define visible and invisible fats

Answer 24

Visible - fats that can be seen
Invisible fats - foods containing fat which cannot be seen

Question 25

Examples of visible and invisible fat

Answer 25

VISIBLE:
- butter
- meat

INVISIBLE:
- ready meals
- chocolate
- biscuits
- burgers