The Human Body

Nutrition

What does this picture have to do with a human body?

Nutrients

element

atom

Molecule

Cell

Tissue

organs

Nutrients

• A substance that a living thing must take in to promote growth, maintenance, and repair is called nutrients.

6 nutrients

• Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, water, vitamins, minerals• Carbohydrates: organic

compounds made from one or more sugar molecules.• They store and provide energy for

your body to function

Carbohydrates

• Simple carbohydrates are called sugars. • Found in many forms:–Sucrose (granulated sugar)–Fructose (honey, fruit)–Lactose (milk sugar)–Glucose (fruit, flows through blood)

Complex Carbohydrates

• Made of sugar molecules linked together in chains• They form starch in potatoes,

pasta and bread.• Some cc’s, such as cellulose

(fiber) are not digestible

Proteins• Made of amino acids• They regulate the chemical reactions in

the body, transport and store materials, promote growth and healing.• They are long chains of molecules• Our cells need combinations of different

amino acids to make proteins for reactions in our bodies

lipids• Simple or compound• Are molecules of triglycerides

(alcohol glycerol) with fatty acids (saturated or unsaturated)• Cholesterol is a compound lipid,

helps build cell membranes

Vitamins• Organic substances needed in small

amounts for growth and activity• Either fat or water soluble (dissolve

in)• 4 fat-soluble:–A,D,E,K

• We need a little fat to store these vitamins

Fat soluble

Water-soluble•Vitamin C, and eight B

vitamins•Body excretes extra water-

soluble vitamins•Many are used for cell

metabolism

Minerals • Inorganic substances• Calcium and phosphorus make up

most of our mineral content• Some minerals work together,

others alone• Most play a role in one of the

body’s chemical processes in a cell

Water

• More than 70% of our body mass is water.• Most of our water is found in our

cells–Intracellular/extracellular–Ex. Is water, nutrients, and carbon

dioxide, electrolytes

Digestions, Absorption, GI Tract

•1. Digestion: food is broken down into microscopic nutrients through digestion–A. chewing–B. chemically with enzymes.

• 2. Absorption: nutrient molecules are moved into the bloodstream.–Most absorption occurs in

walls of small intestine–Bloodstream brings nutrients

everywhere