Nutrition, Metabolism, Body Temperature Regulation

Flashcards covering key concepts in Nutrition, Metabolism, and Body Temperature Regulation.

Calorie

The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C at 1 atmosphere of pressure.

Essential Nutrients

Nutrients that are required for normal human body function and must be obtained through diet.

Carbohydrates

Nutrients that should make up 45-65% of daily caloric intake, primarily plant-derived, providing energy and dietary fiber.

Lipids

Nutrients recommended to constitute 20-35% of daily caloric intake, primarily found in dairy, meats, and oils.

Triglycerides

The most abundant dietary fat, consisting of a glycerol molecule and three fatty acids, providing more than 2x the calories per gram compared to carbohydrates or proteins.

Complete Proteins

Proteins that supply all essential amino acids in the correct ratios, usually found in animal sources like eggs and meat.

Vitamins

Organic compounds required in small amounts, which often function as coenzymes to speed up biochemical reactions.

Minerals

Inorganic elements needed in moderate amounts for various bodily functions, some acting as cofactors for enzyme activation.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions necessary to maintain life, encompassing both catabolism and anabolism.

Catabolism

The process of breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones, often resulting in energy release.

Anabolism

The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones, typically requiring an input of energy.

ATP Hydrolysis

The process of breaking high-energy bonds in ATP to release stored chemical energy for cellular work.

Phosphorylation

The process of adding a phosphate group to a molecule, often activating an enzyme or protein.