Biology Nutrients Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are nutrients?

Nutrients are chemical substances in food that provide energy and materials needed by the body. There are three types of nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

What do nutrients do?

Provide energy for vital activities, supply raw materials to make new protoplasm, and help us stay healthy.

What does water do in humans?

Water acts as a solvent for chemical reactions, is essential for cells and fluids, controls body temperature, and helps transport dissolved substances.

What does water do in plants?

Water is essential for photosynthesis, helps keep plant cells turgid, and is needed for the transport of minerals and food. Signup and view all the answers

Why do we need more water or why do we lose water?

Water is lost from the body when we breathe, sweat, and urinate. The amount needed depends on activity level, health, and environmental conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What are monosaccharides?

Single sugars such as glucose Signup and view all the answers

What is hydrolysis?

Hydrolysis is a reaction in which a water molecule breaks up a complex molecule into simple molecules. Signup and view all the answers

What is sucrose?

Sucrose occurs mainly in sugarcane stems and sweet fruits, comprises a glucose and a fructose molecule. Signup and view all the answers

What is lactose?

Lactose, commonly found in the milk of mammals, is made up of one glucose and one galactose molecule. Signup and view all the answers

What is maltose?

Maltose is found in malted cereals, comprises two glucose molecules, and is the first product of starch digestion. Signup and view all the answers

Why are glycogen and starch suitable storage materials in cells?

They are insoluble in water, cannot diffuse through cell membranes, easily hydrolyzed to glucose, and occupy less space. Signup and view all the answers

What are polysaccharides?

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates consisting of many sugar molecules like starch, glycogen, and cellulose. Signup and view all the answers

How do you test for starch?

The iodine test can be used; a blue-black solution indicates the presence of starch. Signup and view all the answers

How do you test for reducing sugars?

Reducing sugars produce a brick-red precipitate when boiled with Benedict's solution. Signup and view all the answers

Why is water needed?

Water is needed for respiration, supporting structures, and forming organic compounds. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nutrients

Nutrients are chemical substances in food providing energy and materials for bodily functions.
Major types of nutrients include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Functions of Nutrients

Provide energy essential for vital activities; for instance, photosynthesis converts light energy to chemical energy.
Supply raw materials for creating new protoplasm, aiding in repair of worn-out body parts.
Contribute to overall health; Vitamin C and calcium are pivotal for bodily functions.

Role of Water in Humans

Acts as a solvent where chemical reactions, such as hydrolysis, occur.
Integral to cells, tissue fluids, digestive juices, and blood.
Regulates body temperature through sweat evaporation, which dissipates heat.
Facilitates transport of dissolved substances; moves nutrients from the small intestine and eliminates waste.

Role of Water in Plants

Crucial for photosynthesis, enabling plants to convert light into energy.
Maintains turgidity of plant cells, supporting upright structure.
Essential for transporting mineral salts via xylem and food substances from leaves to other plant parts.

Water Loss and Requirements

Water loss occurs through breathing, sweating, and urination, necessitating replacement.
Individual water needs vary based on activity level, health status, and environmental conditions.

Sacharrides Classification

Monosaccharides: Single sugars including glucose, fructose, and galactose.
Disaccharides: Double sugars like maltose, sucrose, and lactose.
Polysaccharides: Complex carbohydrates such as starch, glycogen, and cellulose.

Monosaccharides

Glucose: Found in both plants and animals as an energy source.
Fructose: Common in plants; rare in animals.
Galactose: Found in milk sugar of mammals.

Hydrolysis

Hydrolysis is a reaction where water breaks down complex molecules into simpler ones, e.g., splitting a disaccharide into monosaccharides with enzyme aid.

Sucrose

Present mainly in sugarcane, beet roots, sweet fruits, and certain vegetables.
Composed of glucose and fructose; common granulated sugar consists of sucrose.

Lactose (Milk Sugar)

Found in mammalian milk, formed by glucose and galactose.

Maltose (Malt Sugar)

Derived from malted cereals like barley, consisting of two glucose molecules.
Initiates starch digestion.

Storage of Glycogen and Starch

Insoluble in water, preventing changes in water potential within cells.
Large molecules that do not diffuse through cell membranes, ensuring retention in cells.
Easily hydrolyzed to glucose during tissue respiration, and their compact shapes occupy less space than individual glucose molecules.

Polysaccharides

Starch: Storage form of carbohydrates found in plant storage organs.
Cellulose: Found in plant cell walls, provides protection, and serves as dietary fiber.
Glycogen: Animal storage form of carbohydrates, readily converted to glucose when needed.

Testing for Starch

Iodine test indicates starch presence, producing a blue-black solution.

Testing for Reducing Sugars

Reducing sugars yield a brick-red precipitate when mixed with Benedict's solution and boiled.
The Benedict's test identifies reducing sugars with free ketone or aldehyde groups and can check for glucose in urine.

Importance of Water

Serves as a substrate in respiration, aiding energy provision for cellular activities.
Contributes to the formation of supporting structures, such as plant cell walls.
Facilitates conversion into organic compounds like amino acids and fats.
Essential for nucleic acid formation.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the essential nutrients that our body requires. Learn about the different types of nutrients, their functions, and their importance in energy provision and tissue repair. Test your understanding of key biological concepts related to nutrition.