| Portage Learning | Q & A 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following best defines nutrition?
A) The study of how the body stores excess calories
B) The science that links foods to health and disease
C) The process of digesting and absorbing food
D) The study of food production and safety
Correct Answer: The science that links foods to health and disease
Rationale: Nutrition is defined as the science that links foods to health and disease, encompassing the
processes of ingestion, digestion, absorption, transport, and excretion of nutrients. It is not limited to
digestion, calorie storage, or food production alone.
2. Which dimension of health refers to the cognitive ability to learn and adapt?
A) Physical health
B) Emotional health
C) Intellectual health
D) Social health
Correct Answer: Intellectual health
Rationale: Intellectual health is defined as the cognitive ability to learn and adapt. It can be impaired by
a lack of certain nutrients. Emotional health is the ability to express or suppress emotions.
3. What is the primary difference between hunger and appetite?
A) Hunger is the internal drive to eat; appetite is the external drive that encourages us to find food
B) Hunger is the desire for specific foods; appetite is the sensation prompting eating
C) Hunger is related to emotional states; appetite is influenced by the food environment
,D) Hunger is only physiological; appetite is completely emotional
Correct Answer: Hunger is the internal drive to eat; appetite is the external drive that encourages us to
find food
Rationale: Hunger is the internal, physiological drive to find and eat food, often experienced as a
negative sensation. Appetite is the external, psychological drive related to pleasant sensations and the
desire for food.
4. Which region of the brain plays a key role in regulating hunger and the feeling of being full?
A) Cerebellum
B) Hippocampus
C) Hypothalamus
D) Medulla oblongata
Correct Answer: Hypothalamus
Rationale: The hypothalamus is a region of the brain that plays a role in hunger as well as the feeling of
being full. It receives signals from hormones and nutrients in the blood.
5. Which hormone is produced by adipose (fat) cells and alerts the brain to turn off the hunger center?
A) Ghrelin
B) Leptin
C) Insulin
D) Glucagon
Correct Answer: Leptin
Rationale: Leptin is produced by adipose cells and alerts the brain to turn off the hunger center and
activate the satiety center when consuming a meal. Ghrelin is produced by the stomach and increases
hunger.
, 6. Which class of nutrients is needed in large amounts in the body?
A) Micronutrients
B) Macronutrients
C) Inorganic nutrients
D) Organic nutrients
Correct Answer: Macronutrients
Rationale: Macronutrients are needed in large amounts in the body. They include carbohydrates,
proteins, fats, and water. Micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, are needed in smaller amounts.
7. How many calories are provided by one gram of carbohydrate?
A) 2
B) 4
C) 7
D) 9
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Carbohydrates provide approximately 4 calories per gram. Proteins also provide 4 calories per
gram, while fats provide 9 calories per gram.
8. A nutrition student is calculating the calories in a snack. If the snack contains 14 grams of
carbohydrates, 2 grams of protein, and 9 grams of fat, what is the total calorie content?
A) 100 calories
B) 125 calories
C) 145 calories
D) 165 calories