Basic Nutrition: Protein, Water, and Minerals Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions, dietary sources, functions, and physiological roles of proteins, water, and minerals from the basic nutrition lecture.

Essential Amino Acids

Amino acids that must be obtained from dietary sources because the human body cannot synthesize adequate amounts.

Nonessential Amino Acids

Amino acids that can be synthesized by the human body when appropriate precursors are available.

Complete Protein

A protein (also called high-quality protein) containing all nine essential amino acids; sources include meat, poultry, dairy products, eggs, fish, seafood, soy, and quinoa.

Incomplete Protein

A protein that lacks one or more essential amino acids; sources include nuts, seeds, lentils, beans, peas, and some grains.

Caloric Density of Protein

The energy value provided by protein, which yields approximately $4\,\text{kcal}$ per gram, though its primary role is structural and regulatory.

Daily Water Loss

The baseline volume of fluid ($2.5\,\text{quarts}$) lost daily by the body, which increases with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, bleeding, drainage, or increased respiratory rate.

Tissue Water Composition

The proportional presence of water across different human body tissues and organs, ranging from $22\%$ in bone to $95\%$ in blood.

Dehydration Warning Signs

Clinical indicators of inadequate fluid intake or excessive fluid loss, including headache, lightheadedness, dry mouth, bad breath, constipation, fatigue, joint or muscle pain, and accelerated heartbeat.

Electrolytes

Inorganic minerals present as salts, acids, or bases that maintain osmotic pressure, acid-base balance, nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and cellular fluid distribution.

Sodium

A major electrolyte responsible for fluid and electrolyte balance, acid-base balance, muscle irritability, cell membrane permeability, and nerve impulse transmission.

Potassium

An electrolyte that supports fluid and acid-base balance, nerve impulse transmission, metabolic reactions, and skeletal and cardiac muscle activity.

Chloride

An electrolyte constituting approximately $60\%$ of dietary salt that contributes to fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance and forms hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Magnesium

A mineral supporting bone formation, nerve transmission, smooth-muscle relaxation, protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and enzyme activity.

Calcium

A mineral essential for bone and tooth maintenance, blood clotting, nerve transmission, muscle contraction/relaxation, cell membrane permeability, and blood pressure regulation.

Phosphorus

An inorganic nutrient involved in bone and teeth formation, acid-base balance, energy metabolism, cell membrane structure, and regulation of hormones and coenzymes.