Lecture 1.1 - Nutrition, diet and body weight

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the diet?

To supply energy (correct)

To support the synthesis of amino acids

To provide essential fatty acids

To maintain hydration

Which of the following reactions requires an intermediate process?

Anabolic reactions

Exergonic reactions

Endergonic reactions

ADP/ATP cycle (correct)

What is the primary role of fibre in the diet?

To support the synthesis of amino acids

To support normal GI function and the gut microbiome (correct)

To maintain hydration

To provide essential fatty acids

What is the term for reactions where more energy is released than used?

Exergonic Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of proteins in the diet?

To support the synthesis of amino acids Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of breaking down large molecules into small nutrient molecules in the gut?

Digestion Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of vitamins and minerals in the diet?

To support essential biological processes Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the cycle that facilitates energy transfer in exergonic reactions?

ADP/ATP cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of energy in living organisms?

To resist entropy and maintain constant body temperature Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of raw materials for the body's constituents?

Diet Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of metabolism?

To derive energy and raw materials from foodstuffs Signup and view all the answers

What type of energy is stored in chemical bonds?

Potential energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the byproduct of biosynthetic work?

Cellular components Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of cofactors in metabolic activity?

To support metabolic activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of synthesizing compounds such as protein, lipids, and monosaccharides?

Anabolism Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of energy substrates in metabolism?

To transfer energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of vitamins in the body?

To facilitate metabolic reactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA)?

To calculate the average amount of nutrients needed to maintain good health Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following vitamins is not fat-soluble?

Vitamin C Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of vitamin B12 in the diet?

Animal products Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of blood in the context of nutrition?

To transport nutrients to sites of use or storage Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) in the UK?

To determine the amount of nutrients sufficient for >97% of the population Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of nutrients released from storage in the blood stream?

To be utilised elsewhere in the body Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about blood concentrations is true?

The concentration of some substances in the blood is constant, despite fluctuations in supply and demand Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of certain cells in maintaining nutrient concentrations in the blood?

To store nutrients and interconvert molecules at a controlled rate Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal concentration range of glucose in fasting blood plasma?

3.5-5.9 mmol/L Signup and view all the answers

What is the clinical target level for cholesterol in the blood?

5 mmol/L Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential health consequence of elevated triacylglycerides in the blood?

Increased risk of pancreatitis in adults Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Energy and Its Functions

Energy is the capacity to do work, and all living things use it constantly to resist entropy, support growth, and maintain body temperature.
Energy is necessary for biosynthetic work, transport work, mechanical work, and electrochemical work in cells.

Raw Materials and Metabolism

Body constituents are made from basic materials derived from the diet, requiring energy for inter-conversion and combination.
Metabolism involves deriving energy and raw materials from foodstuffs to support repair, growth, and activity of body tissues.
Catabolism breaks down energy substrates to transfer energy, while anabolism synthesizes compounds like protein, lipids, and monosaccharides.

Chemical Bond Energy

Chemical bonds store potential energy, and breaking bonds releases energy while forming bonds uses energy.
Exergonic reactions release more energy than they use, while endergonic reactions use more energy than they release.

Nutrition and Food

Humans eat around 500kg of food per year, providing energy, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water, and fiber.
Carbohydrates mainly supply energy, proteins provide energy and amino acids, fats provide energy and essential fatty acids.

Micronutrients

Minerals like Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Fe2+ are essential for life, supporting membrane potential, structural functions, and enzymatic processes.
Vitamins facilitate metabolic reactions, with fat-soluble vitamins (A, K, D, E) and water-soluble vitamins (C, B group).

Recommended Daily Allowances and Eatwell Guide

Recommended daily allowances provide the average amount of nutrients needed per day to maintain good health, varying by age, gender, and physical activity.
The Eatwell guide provides a rough estimate of the proportions of food groups to consume, with B12 in animal products and calcium in dairy and bread.

Blood and Nutrient Transport

Blood transports nutrients to sites of use or storage, containing chemicals like nutrients from the diet, nutrients released from storage, and waste products from tissues.
Blood concentrations of most substances are constant, but supply and demand for nutrients vary.

Tissues Affecting Nutrient Concentrations

Some cells store nutrients and interconvert molecules at variable rates to maintain blood concentrations.

Nutrients and Metabolic Products in Fasting Blood Plasma

Glucose levels in fasting blood plasma are around 4.2 mmol/L, with other nutrients like amino acids, triacylglycerides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids present in varying concentrations.

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Description

Learn about energy and its role in living things, including resisting entropy, supporting growth, and maintaining bodily functions. Explore the different types of work that cells use energy for.