Nutrition Essentials Quiz

A quick source of energy for the body.

A complex carbohydrate made up of many glucose units linked together. It's the main source of glucose in your diet.

A complex carbohydrate that's the storage form of glucose in humans, found mainly in muscles and liver.

A type of carbohydrate that's not digestible by humans. It's found in plants and important for digestion.

A type of fiber that doesn't dissolve in water and helps regulate bowel movement.

The building blocks of proteins, made up of a combination of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Large molecules made up of long chains of amino acids linked together. Essential for building and repairing tissues.

The process by which the body breaks down proteins into amino acids.

The covalent bond that links amino acids together to form a polypeptide chain.

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

The local three-dimensional structure of a polypeptide chain, formed by hydrogen bonding.

The overall three-dimensional shape of a protein, determined by interactions between side chains.

The structure formed when two or more polypeptide chains interact.

Amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet.

Proteins that contain all the essential amino acids in a balanced proportion.

Proteins that lack one or more essential amino acids.

A large molecule composed of three fatty acids linked to a glycerol molecule.

Essential micronutrients that the body needs in small amounts for proper metabolism.

Vitamins that dissolve in water and are not stored in the body, being excreted through urine.

Vitamins that dissolve in fat and are stored in the body.

A fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision, skin health, and cell growth.

Night blindness, a condition where it's difficult to see in low light.

A water-soluble vitamin essential for collagen production, immune function, and wound healing.

Scurvy, a disease characterized by bleeding gums, fatigue, and joint pain.

A fat-soluble vitamin essential for calcium absorption and bone health.

Rickets, a disease that causes weak bones, and osteomalacia, a disease that causes soft bones in adults.

A condition caused by an excess of Vitamin A, characterized by nausea, vomiting, headaches, and bone pain.

Essential fatty acids are fats that our body cannot produce on its own and must be obtained from our diet. These acids are vital for various bodily functions, including cell growth and development.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 are the two main types of essential fatty acids. They have different structures and are involved in different processes within the body.

Linoleic acid (LA) is an Omega-6 fatty acid. It's found in many plant-based oils, like sunflower and corn oil. Our body can convert it into arachidonic acid, which is also essential for various body functions.

Arachidonic acid is a derivative of Linoleic acid (LA). It's an Omega-6 fatty acid that plays a role in inflammation and immune responses.

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an Omega-3 fatty acid that's found in foods like flaxseed oil, chia seeds, and walnuts. The body converts it into EPA and DHA, which are also essential.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are two important Omega-3 fatty acids. They're commonly found in fatty fish like salmon and tuna. These play a role in brain health, heart health, and reducing inflammation.

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that the body needs in small quantities. They are crucial for a wide range of functions, including growth, development, and energy production.

Essential minerals required in relatively large amounts (over 100mg per day), crucial for various bodily functions.

Minerals needed in smaller amounts (less than 100mg per day) but equally important for health.

Calcium is vital for strong bones and teeth, muscle function, nerve transmission, and blood clotting.

Calcium deficiency can lead to stunted growth in children and bone loss (osteoporosis) in adults.

A major mineral that helps build bones and teeth, plays a role in energy metabolism, and is crucial for genetic material.

A crucial mineral for bone health, nerve function, muscle contraction, and various enzymatic processes.

This mineral is essential for maintaining normal fluid balance, supporting nerve function, and assisting muscle contractions.

A mineral critical for regulating blood volume, blood pressure, and maintaining pH balance.

Iron plays a crucial role in oxygen transport throughout the body.

Essential for the production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism.

A fat-soluble vitamin synthesized in the skin with the help of sunlight and converted to its active form in the liver and kidney. It is essential for calcium absorption and bone health.

A group of fat-soluble vitamins with antioxidant properties that protect cell membranes from damage. They are crucial for healthy skin, nerves, and blood.

A fat-soluble vitamin essential for blood clotting and bone health. It is produced by bacteria in the gut and obtained from leafy green vegetables.

A collection of eight water-soluble vitamins crucial for various metabolic processes, including energy production, cell growth, and red blood cell formation.

A water-soluble vitamin essential for carbohydrate metabolism and nerve function. Deficiency can lead to beriberi, a neurological disorder.

A water-soluble vitamin essential for cell growth, energy production, and vision. Deficiency can cause skin problems like dermatitis.

A water-soluble vitamin essential for energy production, DNA repair, and healthy skin. Deficiency can cause Pellagra, a skin and neurological disorder.

A water-soluble vitamin involved in various metabolic processes, including fatty acid synthesis and hormone production.

A water-soluble vitamin crucial for protein metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and red blood cell formation. It is important for brain function and overall health.

A water-soluble vitamin involved in various metabolic processes, including fatty acid synthesis, energy production, and cell growth. It is often found in raw egg yolks.

A water-soluble vitamin essential for DNA synthesis, cell division, and red blood cell formation. Deficiency during pregnancy can cause birth defects.

A water-soluble vitamin essential for cell growth, red blood cell formation, and nerve function. It is found primarily in animal products.

Inorganic substances that are essential for proper functioning of body cells.

A severe form of malnutrition caused by a deficiency in both protein and calories. It's characterized by extreme weight loss, muscle wasting, and growth stunting.

A type of malnutrition characterized by severe protein deficiency, leading to swelling, edema, and changes in skin pigmentation. It mainly affects young children.

A complex syndrome that involves loss of muscle mass, fatigue, and weight loss. It often occurs in chronic illness or cancer.

A serious eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and self-induced starvation.

An eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by purging behaviors like vomiting or using laxatives.

A eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting or other purging behaviors.

A state of severe protein depletion leading to a reduction in muscle mass and overall body size. It often involves burning off muscle tissue for energy due to insufficient nutrient intake.

A condition characterized by swelling and fluid retention in the body due to low protein levels in the blood. This is frequently observed in kwashiorkor due to the depletion of the visceral compartment (internal organs) and low albumin levels.

A state where the immune system is weakened, making the body more susceptible to infections.

Foods that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition by containing bioactive compounds.

These compounds found in functional foods have specific health-promoting effects like reducing the risk of certain diseases. Examples include phytochemicals, antioxidants, fatty acids, and probiotics.

These are claims made about the health benefits of functional foods. They must be supported by scientific evidence and regulated by authorities. Examples include claims about improved heart health, digestive health, or immune function.

Plant-derived compounds found in functional foods that may offer various health benefits.

Soy foods like tofu and soy milk are good sources of protein and isoflavones, which may reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart disease and help manage menopause symptoms.

Green and black tea contain catechins, powerful antioxidants that may help prevent certain cancers.

These foods are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to reduced risk of heart disease and also contain probiotics that enhance the body's immune defense.

Yogurt and some dairy products are good sources of probiotics like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, which can help improve gut health and boost the immune system.

The tight junctions between cells in the gut lining are strengthened, making the gut less permeable and reducing the risk of harmful substances entering the bloodstream.

Probiotics interact with the immune system, regulating immune responses by promoting the action of immune cells and anti-inflammatory substances, potentially reducing inflammation in the gut.

Certain strains of probiotics break down complex carbohydrates and fibres that humans can't digest, making those nutrients available for the body to absorb and use.

Probiotics compete with harmful bacteria for nutrients and can also produce substances that directly inhibit their growth or kill them.

A naturally occurring molecule found in every living cell, belonging to the class of nucleotides, building blocks of RNA and DNA.

Directly converted to NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), boosting its levels and impacting various cellular processes.

NAD+ is a coenzyme found in the human body, essential for metabolic processes like energy production, DNA repair, and genetic signaling.

Reduced NAD+ levels are implicated in aging processes, impacting energy production, genomic signaling, and DNA repair.

The main cause of aging is the accumulation of damaged DNA.

The process by which cells repair damaged DNA, utilizing energy and NAD+ molecules.

A key DNA repair protein that requires NAD+ for activation, involved in combating DNA damage.

A vital coenzyme that declines with age and plays a crucial role in DNA repair and cell functions, including sirtuin activation.

A naturally occurring process where NAD+ levels decrease with age, contributing to DNA damage accumulation.

Small molecules that the body uses to synthesize NAD+, essential for maintaining healthy cell function.

One of the NAD+ precursors, involved in the final stages of NAD+ synthesis.

A crucial metabolic pathway for NAD+ production, starting with tryptophan and ultimately forming NAMN.

A metabolic pathway that converts nicotinic acid into NAD+, a crucial coenzyme for various metabolic processes. It involves three steps: nicotinic acid to nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NAMN), NAMN to nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide (NAAD), and finally NAAD to NAD+. This pathway relies on specific enzymes like NAPRT, NMNAT, and NADS.

A metabolic pathway that recycles nicotinamide (NAM) back into NAD+. It starts by converting NAM to NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) via intracellular NAMPT (iNAMPT), and then to NAD+ via NMNAT. This pathway is vital in NAD+ production and is dominant in mammalian cells.

A crucial coenzyme in cellular metabolism, particularly involved in energy production (e.g., in glycolysis and cellular respiration) and redox reactions. It acts as a carrier of electrons, facilitating oxidation-reduction reactions within cells.

An enzyme responsible for converting nicotinic acid to nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NAMN), a crucial step within the Preiss-Handler pathway.

A family of enzymes that convert NAMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) to NAAD (nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide) in the Preiss-Handler pathway. They play a critical role in the conversion of nicotinic acid to NAD+.

An enzyme that converts NAAD (nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide) to NAD+ in the final step of the Preiss-Handler pathway. It plays a key role in producing the essential NAD+ coenzyme.

An enzyme that converts nicotinamide (NAM), released from NAD+ consumption, back to NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) in the salvage pathway. It's crucial for recycling nicotinamide and maintaining NAD+ levels.

An enzyme that converts NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) to NAD+ in the salvage pathway. It plays a crucial role in the final step of NAD+ biosynthesis from salvaged nicotinamide.