Nutrients

Question 1

What is a nutrient?

Answer 1

A substance found in food that is used for the body to meet important needs,

Question 2

What are the 6 types of nutrients?

Answer 2

• proteins
• carbohydrates
• fats
• water
• vitamins
• minerals

Question 3

What are proteins?

State their function(2).

Answer 3

Proteins are large molecules composed of chains of amino acids.

• Builds and repairs cells and tissues.
• Provide energy.

Question 4

What are carbohydrates?

State their function(1).

Answer 4

Carbohydrates are composed of a single sugar molecule or a chain of sugar molecules.

Are the body’s main source of energy.

Question 5

What are fats?

State their function(3).

Answer 5

Fats(lipids), are generally composed of fatty acids and glycerol. Cholesterol is also a fat.

• Store and provides energy
• The building blocks of hormones and cell membranes
• Protect organs and insulate the body from the cold

Question 6

What is water used for in the body?

State their function(3).

Answer 6

• Transports nutrients and waste products
• Regulates body temperature
• Is essential in numerous chemical reactions in the body

Question 7

What are vitamins?

State their function(4).

Answer 7

Vitamins are substances that the body requires in small amounts

• contributes to chemical reactions
• helps in energy production
• helps fight off infections by strengthening the body
• repairing damaged tissues

Question 8

What are minerals?

State their function(4).

Answer 8

Each group of minerals, plays a different role in the body

• building tissue
• maintaining fluid balance in the body
• helping muscles contract
• transporting oxygen in the blood