Macromolecules and Digestion Review

Comprehensive practice questions covering macromolecule structures, enzyme kinetics, nutrient classification, and the human digestive system based on the provided lecture outline.

How does the body store unused energy (glucose) in the short term versus the long term?

Short-term storage occurs in the form of glycogen, while long-term storage occurs in the form of fat (triglycerides).

What are the common monomers and polymers for the four major macromolecules?

Carbohydrates (monosaccharides to polysaccharides), Lipids (fatty acids/glycerol to triglycerides/phospholipids), Proteins (amino acids to polypeptides), and Nucleic Acids (nucleotides to $DNA/RNA$).

What are the specific functions of the polysaccharides starch, glycogen, cellulose, and chitin?

Starch is for energy storage in plants; glycogen is for energy storage in animals; cellulose provides structure in plant cell walls; chitin provides structure in fungal cell walls and arthropod exoskeletons.

What is the basic structure of a triglyceride?

A triglyceride consists of one glycerol molecule linked to three fatty acid chains.

What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between carbon atoms and are typically solid at room temperature; unsaturated fatty acids contain one or more double bonds and are typically liquid.

What are hydrogenated fats?

Unsaturated fats that have been synthetically converted to saturated fats by adding hydrogen.

Which type of lipid is considered "good" for you and which is considered "bad"?

High-density lipids (HDLs) are considered "good," while low-density lipids (LDLs) are considered "bad."

What makes a nutrient "essential"?

An essential nutrient is one that the body cannot synthesize on its own and must be obtained through the diet.

What is the function of an enzyme?

Enzymes act as biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions.

What does it mean when an enzyme is denatured, and what causes this?

Denaturing means the enzyme's shape is altered and its function is lost; it is caused by changes in temperature or $pH$.

Where do substrates bind to an enzyme

Substrates bind to the active site

what are enzymes made of?

enzymes are made of proteins (polypeptides/amino acids).

How many Calories per gram are found in carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids?

Carbohydrates and proteins both contain $4\,Cal/g$, while lipids contain $9\,Cal/g$.

What is the difference between undernourished, overnourished, and malnourished?

Undernourished means insufficient Calorie intake; overnourished means excessive Calorie intake; malnourished means a diet lacking in one or more essential nutrients.

Which vitamins are fat soluble?

Vitamins A, D, E, and K.

What is the general function of water-soluble vitamins?

They often function as coenzymes in metabolic reactions, vitamin B and C

How much mgs of major minerals do you need per day for normal bodily function?

100 mgs per day

Name the 5 essential minerals

Calcium, Chloride, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sodium

Which 2 minerals function is nerve signaling and fluid balance

Potassium (K) and Sodium (Na)

What does Calcium mineral help with

maintenance of bones, muscle contraction, nerve signaling

What does Chloride help with

Water balance and digsestion

What does phosphorus help with

Component of bone, nuclei acids, and ATP

What’s the digestive system order

Mouth, Pharynx, Esophagus, Stomach, Small intestine, Large intestine, rectum, than anus

What does each part of the digestive system do

Mouth mechanically chews food, pharynx prevents food into windpipe, esophagus moves food into stomach turns food into chyme mixing food with digestive enzymes, small intestine nutrient absorption, large intestine absiebs remains water and electrolytes, rectum stores solid waste, anus removes waste

What dies insulin do. where is pepsin enzyme found?

Insulin regulates blood sugar levels by allowing cells to digest glucose, pepsin found in stomach gastric juices

What are the three sections of the small intestine and their specific roles?

The duodenum receives secretions from digestive glands; the jejunum and ileum are the primary sites for nutrient absorption.

Which macromolecule is primarily broken down in the stomach and by which enzyme?

Proteins are broken down in the stomach by the enzyme pepsin.

What are the roles of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas in digestion?

Liver removes toxins and produces bile, gallbladder stores bile until needed, pancreas produce insulin n digestive enzymes

In a negative feedback loop for blood glucose, how do insulin and glucagon function?

Insulin is released to lower blood glucose levels when they are high; glucagon is released to raise blood glucose levels when they are low.

What is the difference between anabolic and catabolic metabolism?

Anabolic processes build complex molecules from simpler ones, while catabolic processes break down complex molecules into simpler ones.