Animals - Essential Nutrients

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering essential nutrients including definitions of key terms related to food and nutrition.

Nutrient

Any substance that has a useful function in the body.

Calorie

The heat required to raise the temperature of 1g of H2O by 1°C.

Macronutrients

Nutrients needed in large amounts, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Micronutrients

Nutrients needed in small amounts, including vitamins and minerals.

Organic Nutrients

Nutrients produced by living organisms, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and vitamins.

Inorganic Nutrients

Nutrients from rocks, soil, and seas, including water and minerals.

Complex Carbohydrates

Provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber, found in foods such as breads, legumes, rice, pasta, and starchy vegetables.

Calcium

An essential mineral for the formation and maintenance of bones and teeth, blood clotting, normal heart beat, and hormone secretion.

Monosaccharides

The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates made up of two monosaccharide molecules.

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates consisting of long chains of monosaccharide units.

Saturated Fats

Solid at room temperature and harder for the body to digest, typically found in butter and lard.

Unsaturated Fats

Liquid at room temperature and easier for the body to digest, found in oils like olive and canola.

Proteins

The most abundant compounds in the body that provide structure and are involved in enzyme and hormone functions.

Vitamins

Micronutrients, support growth, muscle function, acts as coenzymes

Minerals

Inorganic substances like iron and calcium that are essential for various bodily functions.

Water

The most abundant substance in the body, important for transporting nutrients and regulating temperature.