Food & Nutrition
Why do we need to eat?
Molecules in food contain chemical energy that cells use to produce ATP.
Food also supplies raw materials your body needs to build and repair tissues.
What is the science of nutrition?
Nutrition is the study of food and its effects on the body.
What is ingestion?
Ingestion is the act of getting food into the digestive system by placing items into your mouth.
How does saliva help in the process of digestion?
Saliva helps moisten food and make it easier to chew. It also contains enzymes (catalase) that help breakdown the chemical bonds in starchy foods.
What is the job of the excretory system?
It is the job of the excretory system to regulate the amount of water that you have in your body and to help remove wastes from your system.
How are dietary Calories measured?
A dietary Calorie is equal to 1000 calories, or 1 kilocalorie (kcal).
Why is water the most important nutrient?
Every cell in the human body needs water because many of the body's processes take place in water/fluid (e.g., blood, extracellular fluid, and other bodily fluids).
What TWO categories can digestion be divided into?
Mechanical digestion and chemical digestion
What is the esophagus?
The esophagus is a tube in which bolus (i.e., clump of food) passes from the throat to the stomach.
Name TWO organs that participate in the excretory system.
Liver, skin, bladder and kidneys
What is a nutrient?
A nutrient is a substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life.
What are the THREE types of macronutrients you should include in a healthy diet?
Carbohydrates, fats/lipids, and proteins
Which type of digestion breaks down large pieces of food into smaller pieces?
Mechanical digestion
What type of acid does the stomach produce to help in chemical digestion?
Hydrochloric acid
What role does your liver perform?
Your liver filters the nitrogen out of your blood, changing it into urea.
What is the difference between fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins?
Fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E, and K are stored in the fatty tissues of the body.
In contrast, water-soluble vitamins (e.g., vitamin C and B) dissolve in water and cannot be stored in the body.
What information does food labels provide?
Food labels can provide information on the amount of recommended servings, calories, fat, protein, carbohydrates, cholesterol, and other vitamins/minerals.
Where does absorption take place?
Absorption takes place in the small intestine.
The pancreas does three things:
1. It produces hormones to regulate blood sugar levels.
2. It produces enzymes to break down carbs, proteins, lipids, and nuclei acids.
3. The pancreas produces sodium bicarbonate, a base that neutralizes stomach acid.
Which organ regulates the amount of water you drink?
The kidneys
Why are minerals needed in your diet?
Minerals are inorganic nutrients that need to replaced since they are lost in sweat, urine, and digestive wastes.
Explain the portions of the Healthy Plate Method discussed in class.
In the Healthy Plate Method, adults use a 9-inch plate to each 1/2 of non-starchy vegetables, 1/4 of lean protein, and 1/4 of carbohydrates.
How is waste discarded from the body?
By elimination (and the excretory system)
What are villi?
Villi are fingerlike projections that absorb nutrients in the small intestine.
What is the bladder?
The bladder is a muscular bag that holds and empties urine.