Human Nutrition Flashcards
(17 cards)
What are the primary functions of nutrients in food?
- Provide us with energy
- Keep our bodies warm
- Enable us to grow
- Repair and replace damaged tissues
- Keep us healthy
- Protect us from diseases
These functions are essential for maintaining overall health and wellbeing.
What are the necessary food groups in a balanced diet?
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Lipids
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Dietary Fibre
- Water
A balanced diet ensures all nutrients are consumed in the correct proportions.
What is the deficiency disease associated with Vitamin C?
Scurvy
Scurvy is characterized by bleeding gums and is caused by a lack of Vitamin C.
What is the main function of Vitamin D?
Helps the body absorb calcium for strong bones and teeth
A deficiency in Vitamin D can lead to rickets, where bones become soft and deformed.
What dietary sources are rich in Calcium?
- Milk
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Pulses
- Green vegetables
Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth and plays a role in blood clotting.
What is malnutrition?
Caused by not eating a balanced diet
Malnutrition can be due to either undernutrition or overnutrition.
What are the two types of protein energy malnutrition (PEM)?
- Kwashiorkor
- Marasmus
These conditions often arise in regions suffering from poverty and food scarcity.
What is the effect of starvation on the body?
The body uses up its energy reserves from fat and proteins, leading to muscle wasting
Starvation can weaken the heart as muscle proteins are consumed.
What are the two major parts of the human digestive system?
- Alimentary canal
- Associated organs (e.g. salivary glands, liver, pancreas, gall bladder)
The alimentary canal is approximately 9 meters long.
What is peristalsis?
Wave-like contractions that move food through the digestive system
Peristalsis occurs in the oesophagus and intestines.
What is the role of gastric juice?
- Kills germs
- Stops action of salivary amylase
- Provides an acidic medium for protease to work
Gastric juice contains hydrochloric acid and other digestive enzymes.
What are the parts of the small intestine?
- Duodenum
- Ileum
The small intestine is where most digestion and absorption occurs.
What is the function of bile?
Emulsifies fats to increase the surface area for digestion
Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder.
What nutrients are absorbed in the ileum?
- Sugars
- Amino acids
- Fatty acids
- Glycerol
The villi in the ileum increase the surface area for absorption.
What is the fate of excess glucose in the body?
Converted to glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles
Glucose is used for energy during respiration.
What happens to excess amino acids?
Deaminated in the liver to form urea
Urea is then removed from the body in urine.
What is one function of the liver?
- Regulation of blood sugar level
- Deamination of excess amino acids
- Conversion of toxic substances to harmless forms
- Production of bile
- Storage of iron and some vitamins
The liver is the largest gland in the body.
