Comprehensive Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins & Energy Metabolism Review

What are carbohydrates primarily composed of?

Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

What distinguishes simple carbohydrates from complex carbohydrates?

Simple carbs digest quickly and provide fast energy, while complex carbs consist of long chains of sugar units and provide sustained energy.

Name three food sources of sugars.

Fruits, honey, and table sugar.

What are the primary food sources of starches?

Grains, potatoes, rice, and legumes.

Which foods are high in fiber?

Oats, beans, nuts, vegetables, and whole grains.

Where does carbohydrate digestion begin?

In the mouth with salivary amylase.

What is the role of insulin in blood glucose regulation?

Insulin is released by the pancreas when blood glucose is high to help cells absorb glucose.

What does glucagon do when blood glucose levels are low?

It signals the liver to release stored glucose.

How is excess glucose stored in the body?

As glycogen in the liver and muscles.

What are the health benefits of dietary fiber?

Prevents constipation, helps lower cholesterol, stabilizes blood sugar, and promotes a healthy weight.

What are lipids primarily composed of?

A diverse group of insoluble molecules including fats, oils, and cholesterol.

What are the main functions of lipids?

Provide concentrated energy, cushion organs, insulate the body, and transport fat-soluble vitamins.

What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?

Saturated fats have no double bonds and are solid at room temperature, while unsaturated fats contain one or more double bonds and are liquid.

What are trans fats and why are they harmful?

Trans fats are artificially hydrogenated unsaturated fats that can increase LDL cholesterol and decrease HDL cholesterol, raising cardiovascular disease risk.

What is the primary role of cholesterol in the body?

To make bile acids, cell membranes, and hormones.

What is HDL cholesterol known as?

The 'good' cholesterol that helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream.

What is LDL cholesterol known as?

The 'bad' cholesterol that can build up and form plaques in arteries.

What are proteins made of?

Amino acids.

What are essential amino acids?

Amino acids that cannot be made by the body and must be obtained from food.

What distinguishes complete proteins from incomplete proteins?

Complete proteins contain all essential amino acids, while incomplete proteins lack one or more essential amino acids.

How are proteins digested in the body?

They are denatured by hydrochloric acid in the stomach and broken down into amino acids in the small intestine.

What are complementary proteins?

Two incomplete proteins combined to provide all essential amino acids.

What is metabolism?

The sum of all chemical reactions that occur in the body to maintain life.

What is the difference between anabolism and catabolism?

Anabolism builds larger molecules from smaller ones (requires energy), while catabolism breaks down larger molecules into smaller ones (releases energy).

What is ATP and its role in the body?

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is the primary energy-carrying molecule used by cells for all bodily functions.

What happens during weight gain in terms of energy balance?

Weight gain occurs when caloric intake exceeds energy expenditure, causing excess energy to be stored as fat.

What should be evaluated in a case study regarding a patient's diet?

Food sources of carbs, proteins, and fats, and their quality (simple vs. complex, saturated vs. unsaturated).