Clinical Nutrition Exam 2

The hypothalamus

What part of your brain controls body temperature?

How does the hypothalamus regulate body temperature when you're cold?

It sends signals to shiver to make heat.

How does the hypothalamus regulate body temperature when you're hot?

It sends signals to sweat to release heat.

What are some effects of drinking too much alcohol?

Liver damage and brain damage.

What are the consequences of dehydration at a cellular level?

Cells lose water to the blood, causing less blood volume, weakness, and poor cell function.

What are electrolytes?

Substances that dissolve in water and separate into electrically charged particles (ions).

What is the function of the Sodium-Potassium Pump?

Using energy (ATP), it pushes 3 \text{ Na}^+ \text{ (sodium ions)} out of the cell and pulls 2 \text{ K}^+ \text{ (potassium ions)} into the cell, creating an electrical difference and balancing ions.

What is the role of Chloride Ions (Cl⁻) in cellular function?

These ions follow to balance the electrical charge.

What is hyponatremia?

A condition with too little sodium in your blood, caused by too much water compared to salt.

Where do we get most of the sodium in our diet?

From processed foods.

What is osmosis?

When water moves across a thin, permeable barrier (like a cell membrane).

Which nutrients does the DASH diet increase your intake of?

Magnesium, Potassium, and Calcium.

What are the important functions of water in the body?

• Keeping your body temperature steady.

• Acting as a main solvent for many substances.

• Lubricating your joints and tissues.

• Being the environment where chemical reactions happen.

• Moving nutrients and waste products around your body.

Why is Vitamin C from whole foods absorbed better than from supplements?

Because of useful plant compounds called phytochemicals.

What is oxidative stress?

An imbalance between harmful unstable molecules (free radicals/reactive oxygen species, ROS) and protective substances (antioxidants), leading to cell damage.

What is atherosclerosis?

A condition where plaque builds up in your arteries, caused by damage to artery walls, LDL (bad) cholesterol rushing into damaged areas, and immune cells dying to form foam cells. This damage worsens when ROS oxidize LDL, hardening and blocking arteries.

List key antioxidant nutrients.

Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Beta-carotene, Carotenoids, various phytochemicals, and minerals like Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Magnesium.

How does Vitamin C affect the common cold?

It can help make a common cold shorter, but it doesn't prevent or cure it.

Why is folate vital?

It is vital for cell growth and how your body uses energy. It's especially important during pregnancy to prevent birth defects.

What is a consequence of Vitamin B12 deficiency?

Macrocytic anemia, specifically pernicious anemia, due to lack of intrinsic factor needed to absorb B12 (cobalamin).

What is Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and how is it measured?

BMD measures how many minerals are in your bones. It's checked using DEXA scans, and the result is compared to a healthy 30-year-old's bone density using a T-score.

Which populations are at risk for osteoporosis?

Women after menopause, older people, individuals who don't get enough nutrients, and those prone to diabetes.

List essential nutrients for bone remodeling.

Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Fluoride, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Collagen, Iron.

Why is phosphorus important for bones?

Phosphorus is crucial for making bone tissue hard and strong.

What compounds found in plants can inhibit calcium absorption?

Oxalates and phytates, which bind to calcium.

What are examples of weight-bearing exercises?

Running, weight lifting, and walking. Activities that put stress on your bones are effective (e.g., swimming or biking are not).

What is the function of osteoblasts?

Osteoblasts are cells that build new bone tissue.

Explain Wolff's Law.

This law states that bones get stronger and adapt based on the stress put on them. Weight-bearing exercises make bones stronger.

What is the function of Vitamin D in calcium homeostasis?

When blood calcium levels are low, Vitamin D tells bones to release calcium and signals kidneys to reabsorb it.

Name foods high in Vitamin D.

Salmon, cheese, mushrooms (especially if exposed to UV light), and fortified foods. Sunlight exposure is also a source.

Name foods high in Vitamin A.

Liver, spinach, dairy products, and cantaloupe.

What is a catabolic pathway?

A process in the body that breaks down big molecules into smaller ones (e.g., glycolysis breaks down sugar).

What is an anabolic pathway?

A process in the body that builds bigger molecules from smaller ones (e.g., making proteins from amino acids).

What is the role of B vitamins?

They act as helper molecules (coenzymes) vital for many body processes and enzyme functions.

What are the important functions of iron?

Carrying oxygen in red blood cells (hemoglobin), helping with metabolism, making DNA, and supporting bone health.

How does Vitamin C interact with iron?

Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron better, especially non-heme iron (from plant foods).

What are the components of blood?

Plasma (the liquid part), platelets (for clotting), red blood cells (carry oxygen), and white blood cells (fight infection).

What are the transport functions of blood?

Blood carries oxygen, nutrients, and waste products all around your body.

What is the function of Vitamin K?

Vitamin K helps your blood clot by creating clotting factors and also helps calcium attach to your bones.

What causes Iron Deficiency Anemia?

This type of anemia happens when you don't get or absorb enough iron, leading to smaller, less effective red blood cells with less hemoglobin.

When are sports drinks preferred over water during exercise?

During long workouts, like endurance running, when you lose a lot of electrolytes through sweat.

What is a Peer-Reviewed Article?

An article checked by other experts for scientific quality and accuracy, making it reliable.

What is an Original Article?

An article that presents new research results, but it might not have been checked by other experts before being published.

What is Rickets?

A condition in children where bones become soft due to a lack of vitamin D.

What is Osteomalacia?

A similar condition to rickets, but in adults, where mature bones soften, causing bone pain and weakness.