Human Nutrition Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering the key concepts of human nutrition as discussed in the lecture notes.

Diet

The food an animal eats every day.

Balanced Diet

A diet that includes correct amounts and proportions of nutrients.

Malnutrition

Caused by not eating a balanced diet.

Macronutrients

Carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids required in larger amounts for energy and growth.

Vitamins and Minerals

Nutrients needed in small quantities to maintain health.

Vitamin D

Helps the body absorb calcium; deficiency can lead to rickets.

Iron

Necessary for the production of hemoglobin, the component of red blood cells that carries oxygen.

Scurvy

A disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C.

Kwashiorkor

A form of malnutrition caused by a lack of protein; most common in children.

Marasmus

The most severe form of protein energy malnutrition, characterized by severe weight loss.

Peristalsis

The wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Chyme

The semi-liquid mixture of partially digested food and digestive juices in the stomach.

Absorption

The movement of digested food molecules through the intestinal wall into the blood.

Assimilation

The process by which digested food is used by the body's cells.

Egestion

The removal of undigested food from the body as faeces.

Diarrhoea

The loss of watery faeces which can lead to severe dehydration.

Hydrochloric Acid

An acid produced in the stomach that aids digestion and kills harmful bacteria.

Salivary Amylase

An enzyme in the saliva that begins the digestion of carbohydrates.

Lipase

An enzyme that breaks down lipids (fats) into fatty acids and glycerol.

Protease

An enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of proteins into amino acids.

Dietary Fiber

Material that provides bulk to the stool and aids in digestion.

Calcium

A mineral essential for bone health; deficiency can lead to osteoporosis.

Protein

Nutrient necessary for growth and repair of body tissues.

Carbohydrates

Nutrients that serve as a primary source of energy for the body.

Lipid

Nutrient that provides insulation and energy storage.