12 Questions
What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the human body?
To release energy for bodily functions
What is the primary component of proteins?
Amino acids
Why can't physical means like slicing and cleaving break down carbohydrates?
Because physical means can't break down long chain molecules
What is the purpose of vitamins and minerals in the human body?
To keep the body healthy
What is the function of fats in the human body?
To store energy and maintain body temperature
How many types of amino acids are there?
20
Why is it necessary to break the chemical bonds in the chain of sugars?
To release energy from the food
What is the primary reason why large food molecules cannot be absorbed into the bloodstream?
They are too big to pass through the walls of the small intestine
What is the main function of the digestive system?
To break down food into smaller molecules
What is the difference between physical and chemical digestion?
Physical digestion is mechanical, while chemical digestion is enzymatic
What is the purpose of the gastrointestinal tract?
To break down food into smaller molecules
What is the function of the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder in the digestive system?
To aid in the digestion and absorption of nutrients
Study Notes
Why Do We Need Food?
- Humans consume a balanced diet that contains a variety of different types of food, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
- The main nutrients needed by the body are:
- Carbohydrates for energy
- Proteins for growth and repair
- Fats for energy storage
- Vitamins and minerals for overall health
Food Types and Composition
- Carbohydrates:
- Made of long chains of identical, small sugar molecules
- The body breaks down long chains into smaller sugar molecules for energy
- Proteins:
- Made of long chains of small, non-identical molecules (amino acids)
- There are over 20 kinds of amino acids
- Used for growth and repair
- Fats:
- Made up of fat molecules containing fatty acids and glycerol
- Used for energy storage and to make cell membranes
Releasing Energy from Food
- Problems with releasing energy from food:
- Physical means cannot break down long chain molecules
- Large food molecules are insoluble and cannot be dissolved in the blood
- The digestive system must cope with these problems to release energy
Digestive System
- An organ system made up of a group of organs working together
- Each organ has a specific function, and together they achieve digestion
- The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food into smaller, soluble molecules
What Happens to Food in the Body?
- Food is digested, which means it is broken down into smaller molecules
- Digestion occurs in two ways: physical/mechanical and chemical
- Physical digestion breaks down the physical shape of food, while chemical digestion breaks down chemical bonds
Chemical and Physical Digestion
- The body uses both physical and chemical digestion to break down food
- Physical digestion changes the shape of food to fit through the digestive system
- Chemical digestion breaks down chemical bonds to release useful chemicals and dissolve them in the blood
Digestive Tract
- The digestive system is a long tube (approximately 9m when stretched out) with an opening at each end
- The digestive tract includes the mouth, anus, gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder
- The tube is extremely folded to fit inside the body and passes through various organs on its route from the mouth to the anus
Discover the role of a balanced diet in maintaining human health. Learn about the main nutrients required by the body, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Understand the concept of the food pyramid and how it guides our nutritional needs.
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