Nutrition, Metabolism, and Energy Balance

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Chapter 24 on Nutrition, Metabolism, and Energy Balance.

Nutrient

Substance in food needed for growth, maintenance, repair.

Macronutrients

Three main nutrients that make up most of our diet: carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.

Micronutrients

Nutrients required in small amounts, including vitamins and minerals.

Essential nutrients

Molecules that must be provided by diet, as they cannot be synthesized in adequate amounts by the body.

Kilocalorie (kcal)

Amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1°C; used to measure energy value of nutrients.

USDA MyPlate

A set of dietary guidelines to visualize portions of different food groups on a dinner plate.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; primary source of energy for the body.

Lipids

Fats that are a major source of energy, composed of fatty acids and glycerol.

Proteins

Organic compounds made up of amino acids; essential for body structure, function, and regulation.

Vitamins

Organic compounds required in minute amounts, important for metabolic processes.

Minerals

Inorganic elements needed for various biochemical functions in the body.

Metabolism

Sum of all biochemical reactions in the body, including anabolic and catabolic processes.

Anabolism

Metabolic processes that build larger molecules from smaller ones.

Catabolism

Metabolic processes that break down larger molecules into smaller units.

Glycolysis

A pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP in the process.

Citric Acid Cycle

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetate derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Process in cellular respiration where ATP is produced from the transfer of electrons through the electron transport chain.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Obesity

Condition characterized by excessive body fat, often measured by Body Mass Index (BMI).

Leptin

Hormone produced by adipose (fat) cells that helps to regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger.

Ghrelin

Hormone produced by the stomach that stimulates appetite and increases food intake.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates glucose levels in the blood.

Glucagon

A hormone that raises blood glucose levels, opposing the effects of insulin.

Thermoregulation

The process by which the body maintains its core internal temperature.

Ketogenesis

The process of producing ketone bodies from fatty acids in the liver.