Nutrition - Tutorial 1

Question 1

Name the six types of nutrients

Answer 1

• Water
• Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• Proteins
• Minerals
  -Vitamins

Question 2

Name the three monosaccharides that are absorbed

Answer 2

• Fructose
• Glucose
• Galactose

Question 3

State the end products of digestion of triglycerides

Answer 3

Monoglyceride + 2 fatty acids

Question 4

State five types of lipids & describe the major function for each type of lipid

Answer 4

• Fatty acid- synthesise of triglycerides and phospholipids, catabolised to generate ATP
• Triglycerides - protection from injury, insulation from cold, energy storage
• Phospholipids - component of cell membranes and lipoproteins
• Steroids (eg. Cholesterol) - minor component in cell membrane, precursor to bile salts, vitamin D and steroid hormones

Prostaglandins - local hormones released from damaged cells that intensify the effects of histamine and induce pain

Question 5

State the overall function of lipoproteins

Answer 5

To transport lipids in the blood

Question 6

Name the three different types of lipoproteins & describe the specific function for each type

Answer 6

VLDL deliver triglycerides to adipose tissue

LDL is cholesterol-rich it’s function is to transport cholesterol to peripheral tissues, Excessive levels of LDL damage artery walls, narrowing the arteries, leading to heart attack and strokes.

HDL is to remove excess cholesterol from the peripheral tissues, HDL transports cholesterol to the liver to be made into bile and excreted, HDL is an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant molecule that powerfully protects from heart disease in several ways.

Question 7

Describe the clinical significance of raised LDL

Answer 7

Risk of cardiovascular disease, as excessive levels of LDL damages artery walls, narrowing the arteries, leading to heart attacks and strokes.

Question 8

State the end product of the digestion of proteins

Answer 8

Amino acids

Question 9

Name seven different types of proteins & give one function for each type

Answer 9

1. Structural proteins - provide strength (eg. Collagen in bone, keratin in skin hair and nails)
2. Hormones - eg. Insulin acts as a chemical messages from pancreatic islet cells and cells all over the body. (Not all hormones are proteins)
3. Contractile proteins - allow shortening of muscle cells (eg. Actin and myosin)
4. Antibodies - allow protection/defence against foreign cells and bacteria eg. Immunoglobulins.
5. Haemoglobin - transports oxygen in red blood cells
6. Enzymes - speed up chemical reactions (eg. Amylase, maltase, lipase and proteases)

7.Neurotransmitters

Question 10

Explain the function of antioxidant vitamins

Answer 10

inactivate oxygen free radicals and protect against damage to the body