C458 (HEALTH, FITNESS AND WELLNESS) EXAM STUDY
GUIDE NOTES WESTERN GOVERNORS’ UNIVERSITY
Free radical (Oxidant)
✔✔any atom or group of atoms that has an unpaired electron. Because
electrons typically function in pairs, these are very prone to binding to
other substrates in an effort to regain this paired status. When this
happens in the human body, there is potential for a great deal of damage.
Carbohydrates
✔✔produce 4 calories of energy per gram. Found in foods as
monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Sources include
fruits, vegetables, pasta, and rice which consist of simple sugars and
starches
Protein
✔✔produce 4 calories of energy per gram. Sources include meats and
milk. Composed of 8 essential(provided by the diet) and 12
nonessential(synthesized by the body) amino acids. Perform many
functions including building cells and tissues, forming blood and
enzymes, and fighting infection.
means primary, and no organism can live, and almost no biological
process can take place, without it
Lipids
✔✔produce 9 calories of energy per gram. Organic compounds that do
not readily dissolve in water; based on their solubility, they are classified
into triglycerides (more commonly known as fats), phospholipids, and
sterols
,Incomplete protein
✔✔proteins that are lacking one or more of the essential amino acids
Glycogen
✔✔the polysaccharide form in which glucose is stored in the liver
Glucose
✔✔simple sugar. The only source of energy that brain cells use to
function
Triglycerides (Fats)
✔✔Solid at room temperature. Group of chemical compounds that
contain fatty acids, often in very long strands. Most concentrated source
of energy in the diet. Provides much of the stored energy of the body.
Insulate body organs against changes in environmental temperature.
Protect the organs and underlying tissues by acting as a shock absorber.
Water
✔✔essential component of body structure. Second only to oxygen in
importance to body functioning. Acts as a solvent for minerals and other
physiologically important compounds. In the body, it transports nutrients
to and waste products from the cells and helps regulate body
temperature. Comes from fluids and solids in the diet and also is
produced by the metabolic processing of energy nutrients within the
tissues
Oils
✔✔liquid at room temperature.
,Vitamins
✔✔organic compounds required by every part of the body to maintain
health and prevent disease. Classified as either fat-soluble or water-
soluble. Do not become part of the body. Only small amounts are needed,
but must be provided by the diet because the body is not able to
synthesize them in the required quantities for proper nourishment and
body function. Foster growth, promote the ability to produce healthy
offspring, maintain health, aid in the normal function of the digestive
tract and appetite, and help maintain immune system functions.
Fat-soluble vitamins
✔✔found in the fatty parts of food and body tissues. Stored in the body
until needed, so it is not necessary to consume them every day.
Transported by lipids through the body; A, D, E, and K
Vitamin A
✔✔important in promoting growth and health of body tissues as well as
enhancing the function of the immune system. Enhances vision by
helping the retina function properly, permitting us to distinguish between
light and shade and to see various colors distinctly. A form of this is used
by dermatologists to treat acne and other skin disorders. Overdoses may
result in yellowish, dry, scaly skin and dry, irritated eyes
Vitamin D
✔✔essential for calcium absorption and thus is needed to prevent and
cure rickets(deficiency disease in which bones fail to harden)
, Vitamin E
✔✔an activator in certain enzyme reactions, and it protects vitamins A
and C from being used up too quickly
Vitamin K
✔✔essential for the synthesis of prothrombin, a substance needed for
normal blood coagulation.
Water-soluble vitamins
✔✔associated with the watery parts of food and body tissues. Not stored
by the body. Excess amounts are usually excreted in the urine and,
therefore, should be provided in the diet on a regular basis. Includes the
B vitamins and vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
B vitamins
✔✔essential to daily human nutrition. Known as the B-complex group,
they help body systems combat stress and maintain energy reserves. The
B-complex group consists of vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2
(riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B12
(cobalamin), folic acid, and biotin.
Vitamin B1 (thiamin)
✔✔necessary for carbohydrate metabolism. Aids in the release of energy
from food
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
✔✔helps body cells use oxygen, promotes tissue repair, and helps the
nervous system function properly