Chapter 4 – Nutrition, Enzymes, and Metabolism

Malnutrition

A condition resulting from an imbalanced diet lacking essential nutrients.

Energy

The capacity to perform work or fuel biological processes.

Nutrients

Substances required by the body for growth, energy, and cellular function.

Macronutrients

Nutrients required in large amounts, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Micronutrients

Nutrients needed in small amounts, including vitamins and minerals.

Essential nutrients

Nutrients that must be obtained from the diet.

Essential amino acids

Amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be ingested.

Digestion

The breakdown of food into smaller molecules for absorption.

Chemical reaction

A process that transforms substances into different compounds.

Catabolic reaction

Breakdown of molecules to release energy.

Anabolic reaction

Building up of complex molecules from simpler ones.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in the body.

Enzyme

A protein that accelerates biochemical reactions.

Active site

The region on an enzyme where substrates bind.

Substrate

The molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Activation energy

Energy needed to initiate a chemical reaction.

Minerals

Inorganic substances needed for various cellular processes.

Vitamins

Organic compounds that support biochemical functions.

Cofactor

Non-protein molecule required by an enzyme for activity.

Coenzyme

Organic cofactor aiding enzyme function.

Is malnutrition always associated with starvation?

False.

What is the number one killer of children globally?

Malnutrition.

What are the macronutrient examples and their primary function?

Carbohydrates (primary energy source), proteins (support growth and repair), fats (store energy).

What primarily affects food access in the U.S.?

Poverty.

What are the components of a well-balanced diet?

Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.

True or False: Animal products provide more protein than plant products.

True.

What happens to macronutrients during digestion?

They are broken down into absorbable subunits for energy and cell functions.

Why are nucleic acids not considered macronutrients?

They are needed in much smaller quantities compared to macronutrients.

What are the digestion subunits for carbohydrates?

Simple sugars.

What are the digestion subunits for proteins?

Amino acids.

What are the digestion subunits for lipids?

Fatty acids and glycerol.

What are the digestion subunits for nucleic acids?

Nucleotides.

How many essential amino acids are there?

What are complete foods?

Foods containing all essential nutrients required by the body.

What is the purpose of the Peanut Butter Project?

To provide a high-nutrient, easy-to-distribute treatment for malnutrition.

Why is peanut butter used in malnutrition treatment?

It is rich in protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals; requires no refrigeration.

True or False: If you eat RUTF, you don’t need to eat anything else.

True.

Are enzymes involved in reactions that are both catabolic and anabolic?

False.

What are properties of enzymes?

Specificity to substrates, reusable, and efficient in lowering activation energy.

Can reactions occur without enzymes?

True; reactions can still occur but at a slower rate.

Do enzymes add energy to reactions?

False; they lower the activation energy.

What is formed when a substrate binds to an enzyme's active site?

Enzyme-substrate complex.

What does the induced fit model describe?

The enzyme changes shape slightly to fit the substrate more precisely.

Are enzymes mostly proteins?

True.

Do enzymes become permanently changed after reactions?

False; they are not consumed or permanently altered.

What are micronutrients functions related to 'hidden hunger'?

Micronutrients support immune function, growth, and development, but deficiencies may not have obvious signs.

Give an example of a mineral and its function.

Iron (oxygen transport), calcium (bone health).

Give an example of a vitamin and its function.

Vitamin C (immune support), Vitamin D (bone health).

What is a cofactor and give an example?

Non-protein molecule required by an enzyme; example: Zinc.

What is a coenzyme and provide an example?

Organic cofactor aiding enzyme function; example: NAD+.

What deficiency leads to goiter?

Iodine.