Food And Nutrition

Question 1

What is nutrition?

Answer 1

Nutrition is the process by which the body takes in and utilizes food for growth, energy, and health.

Question 2

What are the different types of nutrients the body needs?

Answer 2

The body needs carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water

Question 3

What is the role of carbohydrates?

Answer 3

Carbohydrates provide energy for the body.

Question 4

What is the role of proteins?

Answer 4

Proteins are essential for growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues.

Question 5

What is the role of fats?

Answer 5

Fats store energy, support cell growth, and help absorb certain nutrients.

Question 6

What is the role of vitamins?

Answer 6

Vitamins are crucial for various bodily functions, including immune function and energy production.

Question 7

What is the role of minerals?

Answer 7

Minerals are important for bone health, fluid balance, and muscle function.

Question 8

What is a balanced diet?

Answer 8

A balanced diet includes a variety of foods in the right proportions to provide necessary nutrients to stay healthy.

Question 9

How can you test foods for starch?

Answer 9

You can test foods for starch using iodine solution, which turns blue-black in the presence of starch.

Question 10

How can you test foods for sugars?

Answer 10

You can test foods for sugars using Benedict’s solution, which changes color when heated with reducing sugars.

Question 11

How can you test foods for proteins?

Answer 11

You can test foods for proteins using Biuret reagent, which turns purple in the presence of proteins.

Question 12

How can you test foods for fats?

Answer 12

To test for Fat in foods, mix the food with ethanol, then add water . if a milky white emulsion forms, fat is present.

Question 13

What are the parts of the human digestive system?

Answer 13

The human digestive system includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. • Salivary glands, Liver, Gall bladder, Pancreas

Question 14

What is the human digestive system and what are the functions?

Answer 14

• The digestive system is a group of organs that work together to:
• Break down food into smaller, soluble molecules
• Absorb nutrients into the bloodstream
• Remove waste from the body

Question 15

How is food broken down and absorbed?

Answer 15

Food is broken down by mechanical and chemical processes, aided by enzymes.

Question 16

What are nutrient deficiencies?

Answer 16

Nutrient deficiencies is when the body does not get enough of a specific nutrient.

Question 17

What is overnutrition?

Answer 17

Over nutrition is when consumes more nutrients than the body needs, especially high in fats and sugars
• Can lead to:
• Obesity
• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure

Question 18

What is obesity?

Answer 18

Obesity is a condition characterized by excessive body fat, often due to overnutrition.

Question 19

What are the causes of global food scarcity?

Answer 19

Population growth – Rising global population increases demand for food.
Climate change – Extreme weather (droughts, floods, heatwaves) affects crop yields.
Conflict and war – Disrupts farming, transport, and food distribution.
Poverty – Many people can’t afford or access enough nutritious food.Poor infrastructure – Inadequate roads, storage, and transport lead to food loss.
Food waste – Large amounts of food are wasted at consumer and supply levels.
Land degradation – Over-farming, deforestation, and soil erosion reduce farmland quality.
Water scarcity – Lack of water limits irrigation and crop production.
Export-focused agriculture – Some countries grow cash crops for export instead of food for locals.
Political instability – Weak governance can lead to poor food policies and distribution.

Question 20

What are the effects of global food scarcity?

Answer 20

1. Causes hunger and malnutrition
2. Leads to higher food prices
3. Increases death rates, especially in poor areas
4. Triggers conflict and migration
5. Reduces work productivity
   Puts pressure on aid and health servic

Question 21

What is the role of fibre?

Answer 21

Helps digestion and prevents constipation

Question 22

What is the role of water?

Answer 22

Needed in all cells; helps with temperature control and transport of substances

Question 23

What are the Functions of the Digestive Organs

Answer 23

Mouth- Begins mechanical digestion (chewing) and chemical digestion with saliva
Salivary Glands. Produce saliva, which contains enzymes (e.g., amylase) to break down starch

Oesophagus- Tube that pushes food to the stomach using muscle contractions (peristalsis)
Stomach. Produces acid and enzymes to digest proteins; churns food into a liquid

Liver- Produces bile to break down fats

Gall Bladder- Stores bile and releases it into the small intestine

Pancreas- Releases digestive enzymes into the small intestine

Small Intestine- Completes digestion and absorbs nutrients into the blood

Large Intestine- Absorbs water and forms faeces

Rectum- Stores faeces before it leaves the body

Question 24

What are the Importances of a Balanced Diet?

Answer 24

• Gives us energy for daily activities
• Helps with growth and repair of body tissues
• Keeps the immune system strong
• Prevents deficiency diseases (e.g., lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy)
• Maintains a healthy weight and reduces risk of diseases like obesity and diabetes

Question 25

What Are Food Tests?

Answer 25

• Food tests are used to detect the presence of specific nutrients in different types of food. • Each test uses a chemical indicator that changes colour when a certain nutrient is present.

Question 26

What is digestion, absorption and egestion ?

Answer 26

Digestion - Breaking down food Absorption - Taking in nutrients into the bloodstream Egestion - Removing undigested waste

Question 27

How does Food Move Through the Digestive System?

Answer 27

The movement of food through the digestive tract is done by peristalsis: • Peristalsis: Wave-like muscle contractions that push food forward through the digestive organs. • This movement happens from the oesophagus all the way to the anus, even if you're lying down!

Question 28

What are the key digestive processes?

Answer 28

Ingestion: happens in the Mouth. Food is taken in and chewed; saliva starts digestion of carbohydrates Digestion: happens in the Mouth, stomach and duodenum. Food is broken down into smaller molecules by enzymes and stomach acid Absorption: happens in the lleum (part of small intestine) and large intestine: Nutrients and water pass into the bloodstream Assimilation: happens throughout the body. Nutrients are used by cells for energy, growth, and repair Egestion: happens in the Large intestine - rectum → anus. Undigested waste is removed as faeces

Question 29

What Are Enzymes?

Answer 29

• Enzymes are biological catalysts - they speed up chemical reactions in living things without being used up. • In digestion, they break down large food molecules into smaller ones that can be absorbed.

Question 30

What is under nutrition?

Answer 30

lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough food or not eating enough food containing substances necessary for growth and health. • Can lead to: • Weight loss • Slow growth • Weak immune system • Deficiency diseases (like marasmus or kwashiorkor)

Question 31

What are the Common nutrient deficiencies and their cure

Answer 31

1. Iron Deficiency • Disease: Anaemia • Symptoms: Tiredness, pale skin, weakness (due to low red blood cells) • Treatment: Eat iron-rich foods (e.g., red meat, spinach), take iron supplements 2. Vitamin C Deficiency • Disease: Scurvy • Symptoms: Bleeding gums, weak immune system, joint pain • Treatment: Increase vitamin C intake (e.g., oranges, lemons) 3. Vitamin D / Calcium Deficiency • Disease: Rickets • Symptoms: Soft, weak bones, bowed legs • Treatment: Sunlight exposure, vitamin D and calcium supplements 4. Protein Deficiency • Disease: Kwashiorkor • Symptoms: Swollen belly, poor growth, muscle loss • Treatment: Increase protein intake (e.g., milk, eggs, meat, beans) 5. General Energy Deficiency • Disease: Marasmus • Symptoms: Extreme thinness, weakness, severe weight loss • Treatment: Provide adequate energy-rich foods and a balanced diet

Question 32

What is bile?

Answer 32

a yellowish-green digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder

Question 33

What are the different types of enzymes?

Answer 33

Amylase Breaks down: Starch → Sugar (maltose) Found in: Saliva, pancreas 2. Protease Breaks down: Proteins → Amino acids Found in: Stomach (pepsin), pancreas, small intestine 3. Lipase Breaks down: Fats → Fatty acids + Glycerol Found in: Pancreas, small intestine 4. Catalase Breaks down: Hydrogen peroxide → Water + Oxygen Found in: Many cells (especially liver) 5.Lactase Breaks down: Lactose (milk sugar) → Glucose + Galactose Important for: Digesting dairy products