Μεταβολισμός του Ανθρώπου - Εισαγωγή

Human Metabolism - Introduction

• The presentation introduced human metabolism, highlighting the difficulty of friendship with someone who has a high metabolism.
• A presentation on human metabolism was given.

Learning Objectives

• The presentation covered the analysis of metabolism regulation and the role of different organs.
• An in-depth understanding of absorption, metabolism, interactions, and excretion of macronutrients/micronutrients was shown in this presentation.
• Students will evaluate the correlation between micronutrient intake and health.

Presentation Content

• The presentation outlined basic metabolism concepts, nutrition mechanisms, and macronutrient/micronutrient metabolism.
• The topics included carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Assessment

• Student assessment consisted of two parts:
• Multiple-choice questions and short-answer exams (50% of the total score).
• A 2000-word essay (50% of the total score).

Bibliography

• The presentation included a bibliography entry for a 2013 advanced nutrition and human metabolism textbook by Gropper and Smith.

Introduction to Metabolism

• Metabolism is the set of biochemical reactions that occur in organisms' cells to sustain life.
• Metabolism's results include energy production, biosynthesis of biomolecules, and removal of waste products.
• The presentation also highlighted metabolic pathways and the role of enzymes in regulating these processes.

Purpose of Metabolism

• The presentation indicated that metabolism aims for energy acquisition from food through the oxidation of organic molecules.
• Another goal was to break down nutrients to form simpler forms for biosynthesis.
• The objective involved building larger biomolecules from simpler building blocks.
• Finally, metabolism prioritizes the destruction of unnecessary biological molecules.

Catabolism

• Catabolism is the breakdown of large molecules to create energy and smaller molecules.
• The breakdown of larger molecules requires energy, producing ATP, which cells utilize for various functions.
• The purpose of catabolism included acquiring energy and obtaining building blocks for biosynthesis.

Anabolism

• Anabolism is the synthesis of smaller molecules into larger ones with energy input.
• Energy stored in the form of ATP during catabolism powers anabolic reactions.
• Anabolism aims to create more complex molecules needed for cell structure and function.

Macronutrients

• Macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which are consumed in large amounts for energy provision.

Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates are a primary energy source, supplying over 50% of the body's energy needs.
• Carbohydrates are categorized into monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, galactose), disaccharides (sucrose, maltose, lactose), and polysaccharides (starch, glycogen, fiber).
• The learning aid mentions that carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram.

Proteins

• Proteins are organic compounds comprised of amino acids, vital for structure and function.
• They provide 4 calories per gram and are crucial for muscle, organ, and other structures.
• The breakdown of proteins can involve conversion to simpler compounds and utilization in synthesis (e.g. proteins like enzymes or hormones).

Fats (Lipids)

• Fats, in their triglyceride form, are the primary form of stored energy in the body.
• They generate 9 calories per gram, offering a highly effective way to store energy for future use.

Vitamins

• Vitamins are essential micronutrients that perform key roles in various bodily functions, but are not energy-providing.
• There are two categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins.

Minerals and Trace Elements

• Minerals are crucial inorganic nutrients for diverse biological functions, including bone formation, fluid regulation, and enzyme function.