chapter 8 pt 1

Front: Why is water considered an indispensable (necessary or essential) nutrient?

Back: It is essential for transport, cleansing, chemical reactions, lubrication, and temperature regulation.

Front: What are two major transport functions of water?

Back: Carries nutrients to cells and carries away waste from the body.

Front: How does water act as a cleansing agent?

Back: It helps remove wastes through the kidneys.

Front: Why is water called a universal solvent?

Back: It dissolves many substances to form solutions.

Front: What types of nutrients dissolve in water?

Back: Amino acids, glucose, minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids via blood/lymph with water-soluble proteins.

Front: How does water participate in chemical reactions?

Back: It is involved in many metabolic reactions in the body.

Front: How does water act as a lubricant and shock absorber?

Back: It cushions joints and protects areas like the spinal cord, retina, and amniotic sac.

Front: Where in the body does water provide lubrication?

Back: Joints, digestive system, and respiratory system.

Front: How does water help regulate body temperature?

Back: Water in sweat cools the body when it evaporates.

Front: What does the phrase “Human life begins in water” refer to?

Back: The amniotic fluid surrounding a developing fetus.

What is water balance?

Back: Maintaining the right amount of water in the body to avoid too much or too little water.

Front: What happens if there is too much water in the body?

Back: Water intoxication (overhydration), which can be dangerous.

Front: What happens if there is too little water in the body?

Back: Dehydration, which can impair bodily functions.

Front: How does the body detect low water levels?

Back: Blood becomes too concentrated, pulling water out of salivary glands → mouth becomes dry → thirst center in the brain is activated.

Front: How does the brain respond to dehydration?

Back: Sends nerve impulses to trigger thirst, and signals the pituitary gland to help the kidneys retain more water.

Front: How do the kidneys help regulate water?

Back: They adjust water retention and secrete regulatory substances to control sodium concentrations.

Front: How do excess caffeine and alcohol affect water balance?

Back: They act as diuretics, causing the body to excrete excess water, which can increase the risk of dehydration.

Front: What is water intoxication?

Back: A dangerous condition where water levels are too high, usually from drinking several gallons in a few hours.

Front: Why is water intoxication rare?

Back: It requires consuming large amounts of plain water very quickly, overwhelming the kidneys.

Front: Why can’t the kidneys prevent water intoxication?

Back: They cannot remove water fast enough to keep up with excessive intake.

Front: What happens to blood sodium during water intoxication?

Back: Water dilutes sodium in the blood.

Front: What is hyponatremia?

Back: A condition where low sodium causes water to move into cells, making them swell.

Front: Who is at highest risk of hyponatremia?

Back: Endurance athletes (e.g., marathon runners).

Front: How can endurance athletes prevent water intoxication?

Back: By drinking sports drinks (replace sodium and electrolytes).

Front: What are early symptoms of water intoxication?

Back: Headache, nausea, confusion, muscle cramps.

Front: What are severe symptoms of water intoxication?

Back: Seizures, coma, or death.

Front: Does bottled water require disinfection?

Back: No, disinfection is not required for bottled water.

Front: Are E. coli and coliform bacteria banned in bottled water?

Back: No, they are not banned.

Front: How often is bottled water tested for bacteria?

Back: Once per week.

Front: Does bottled water need to be filtered for pathogens/viruses?

Back: No, filtration is not required.

Front: How often is bottled water tested for organic chemicals?

Back: Once per year.

Front: Does carbonated water require disinfection?

Back: No, it does not.

Front: Are E. coli and coliform bacteria banned in carbonated water?

Back: No, they are not banned.

Front: How often is carbonated water tested for bacteria?

Back: None — no bacterial testing required.

Front: Does carbonated water need to be filtered for pathogens/viruses?

Back: No, filtration is not required.

Front: How often is carbonated water tested for organic chemicals?

Back: None — no testing required.

Front: Does tap water require disinfection?

Back: Yes, tap water must be disinfected.

Front: Are E. coli and coliform bacteria banned in tap water?

Back: Yes, they are banned.

Front: How often is tap water tested for bacteria?

Back: Hundreds of times per month.

Front: Must tap water be filtered for pathogens and viruses?

Back: Yes, filtration is required.

Front: How often is tap water tested for organic chemicals?

Back: Every quarter (4 times a year).

Front: What is one major environmental issue caused by bottled water?

Back: Plastic pollution from discarded bottles.

Front: How does bottled water contribute to climate change?

Back: Produces greenhouse gases during transportation and production.

Front: How does bottled water affect natural water supplies?

Back: It depletes freshwater resources through excessive extraction.

Front: What are electrolytes?

Back: Compounds that separate into ions in water and can conduct electrical current. They are electrically charged minerals.

Front: What body function are electrolytes involved in?

Back: Acid–base balance (maintaining proper pH).

Front: What are some examples of electrolytes?

Back: Sodium, potassium, chloride.

Front: What are ions?

Back: Atoms with an unequal number of protons and electrons, giving them a charge.

Front: What are anions?

Back: Ions with more electrons than protons → negatively charged.

Front: What are cations?

Back: Ions with more protons than electrons → positively charged.

Front: What drives the movement of water across a membrane?

Back: Water moves toward the side with the higher concentration of dissolved particles (osmosis).

Front: What happens when particle concentration is equal on both sides of a membrane?

Back: Water levels remain equal; no net water movement.

Front: What happens when additional particles are added to one side of a membrane?

Back: Water flows toward the side with more particles, increasing water volume on that side.

Front: What is the process called when water moves toward a higher solute concentration?

Back: Osmosis.

Front: What role do electrolytes play in water movement?

Back: Electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, etc.) determine the concentration of dissolved particles, controlling water movement in and out of cells.

What is the key principle of water movement in the body?

Water follows salt — water moves toward areas with more electrolytes.

Why does water move toward a higher electrolyte concentration?

Because electrolytes create a higher solute concentration, pulling water toward them (osmosis).

Front: Which minerals are mainly responsible for directing water movement?

Back: Electrolytes such as Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, and others.

Front: What does “water follows salt” help maintain in the body?

Back: Fluid balance inside and outside cells.

Front: What is the main rule of water movement in the body?

Back: Water follows salt — it flows toward the area with a greater concentration of electrolytes.

Front: Why does water move toward higher electrolyte concentration?

Back: Electrolytes create a higher solute concentration, pulling water by osmosis.

Front: What happens when there is a rapid fluid shift in the body?

Back: It causes fluid and electrolyte imbalance.

Front: What does fluid and electrolyte balance help regulate?

Back: Proper hydration, nerve transmission, muscle function, and cell stability.

Front: What is acid–base balance?

Back: The body’s ability to maintain a stable pH using ions like hydrogen (H⁺) and hydroxide (OH⁻).

Front: What helps regulate pH in the body?

Back: Buffers—substances that resist changes in pH.

Front: Which ions are most important for acid–base balance?

Back: Hydrogen ions (H⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻).

What are minerals?

Essential inorganic elements needed by the body for various functions

Front: What defines a major mineral?

Back: A mineral needed in amounts greater than 100 mg/day.

Front: List the major minerals.

Back: Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium.

Front: What defines a trace mineral?

Back: A mineral needed in amounts less than 100 mg/day.

Front: List the trace minerals.

Back: Iodine, Iron, Zinc, Selenium.

Which minerals are commonly consumed too little in the U.S.?

Calcium, Iron (for reproductive-age women), Potassium, Magnesium.

Front: Which mineral is commonly consumed too much in the U.S.?

Back: Sodium.

Front: Which minerals from the list appear in bold on the food label?

Back: Calcium, Iron, Potassium.

Front: Why is iron a mineral of concern specifically for reproductive-age women?

Back: Due to menstrual blood loss, increasing iron needs and risk of deficiency.

Front: What is bioavailability?

Back: The amount of a nutrient that is absorbed and used by the body.

Front: Are minerals from animal or plant foods more bioavailable?

Back: Minerals from animal food sources are usually more bioavailable than those from plant sources.

Front: What factors can affect the mineral content in foods?

Back: Agricultural practices and food processing.

Front: How does deficiency affect mineral absorption?

Back: If you are deficient in a mineral, your body absorbs more of it.

Front: Do minerals compete for absorption?

Back: Yes. Some minerals compete with each other, reducing one another’s uptake.

Front: What is the most abundant mineral in the body?

Back: Calcium (Ca).

Front: Where is 99% of the body's calcium stored?

Back: In the bones and teeth.

Front: What is one structural function of calcium?

Back: Integral part of bone structure.

Front: What does bone calcium act as?

Back: A calcium reservoir for the body.

Front: How does calcium help muscles?

Back: It is needed for muscle contraction and maintaining heartbeat.

Front: How does calcium help nerve cells?

Back: It supports transport of ions across membranes for nerve signaling.

Front: How does calcium affect blood pressure?

Back: Helps maintain normal blood pressure.

Front: What role does calcium play in blood clotting?

Back: Calcium is required for blood clotting.

Front: What does calcium activate inside cells?

Back: Cellular enzymes.

Front: What is hydroxyapatite?

Back: The chief crystal of bone and teeth, formed from calcium + phosphorus + collagen.

Front: What do bones serve as in relation to calcium?

Back: A storage site for regulating body calcium levels.

Front: What happens if minerals are withdrawn from bones to cover body deficits?

Back: Bones become weak and may bend or crumble.

Front: What determines how much calcium is absorbed?

Back: Body needs (ranges from 75%—pregnancy/infancy—to <25% normally).

Front: What nutrient promotes and regulates calcium absorption in the small intestine?

Back: Active vitamin D.

Front: Are blood calcium levels tightly regulated?

Back: Yes—both high and low blood calcium levels are dangerous.

Front: What 3 organ systems help maintain calcium balance?

• Intestines – increase Ca absorption

• Kidneys – reduce Ca loss in urine

• Bones – release Ca into blood

Front: What maintains bone density over time?

Back: Proper calcium regulation, and physical activity helps slow age-related bone loss (after age 30).

key bone vitamins

A
D
K
C