WGU D440 SAUNDERS Review (Latest 2025/ 2026
Update) Health and Wellness Through Nutritional
Science Review | Q & A | Grade A| 100% Correct
(Verified Elaborations)
Carbohydrates
1. Carbohydrates are the preferred source of energy.
2. Each gram of a carbohydrate produces 4 kcal/g. Carbohydrates promote normal fat
metabolism; inadequate carbohydrate intake affects metabolism.
3. Carbohydrates serve as the main source of fuel, providing glucose for the brain and for the
skeletal muscles during exercise; carbohydrates also promote erythrocyte and leukocyte
production, and cell function.
4. Major food sources of carbohydrates include milk, grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Fats
1. Fats provide a concentrated source and a stored form of energy.
2. Fats protect internal organs and maintain body temperature.
3. Fats enhance absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins.
4. Fats provide 9 kcal/g.
5. Inadequate intake of essential fatty acids leads to clinical manifestations of sensitivity to cold,
skin lesions, increased risk of infection, and amenorrhea in women.
6. Diets high in fat can lead to obesity and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and some
cancers.
Proteins
Proteins
1. Amino acids, which make up proteins, are critical to all aspects of growth and development of
body tissues and provide 4 kcal/g.
, WGU D440 SAUNDERS Review (Latest 2025/ 2026
Update) Health and Wellness Through Nutritional
Science Review | Q & A | Grade A| 100% Correct
(Verified Elaborations)
2. Proteins build and repair body tissues, regulate fluid balance, maintain acid-base balance,
produce antibodies, provide energy, and produce enzymes and hormones.
3. Essential amino acids are required in the diet because the body cannot manufacture them.
4. Complete proteins contain all essential amino acids; incomplete proteins lack some of the
essential fatty acids.
5. Inadequate protein can cause protein energy malnutrition and severe wasting of fat and muscle
tissue.
Major stages of the life span with specific nutritional needs are
pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Adults and older adults may
experience physiological changes related to aging that will influence individual nutritional needs.
Define vitamin, and the role they play in the body.
1. Vitamins facilitate the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates and act as catalysts for
metabolic functions.
2. Vitamins promote life and growth processes and maintain and regulate body functions.
3. Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K can be stored in the body, so an excess can cause toxicity.
4. The B vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble vitamins, are not stored in the body, and can
be excreted in the urine.
Define Minerals and electrolytes and their functions.
1. Minerals are components of hormones, cells, tissues, and bones.
2. Minerals act as catalysts for chemical reactions and enhancers of cell function.
, WGU D440 SAUNDERS Review (Latest 2025/ 2026
Update) Health and Wellness Through Nutritional
Science Review | Q & A | Grade A| 100% Correct
(Verified Elaborations)
What are Water-Soluble Vitamins?
Folic acid:
Niacin:
Vitamin B1 (thiamine):
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin):
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine):
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin):
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid):
Sources of Folic Acid
Green leafy vegetables, liver, beef, fish, legumes, grapefruit, oranges
Sources of Niacin
Meats, poultry, fish, beans, peanuts, grains
Sources of Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Pork, nuts, whole-grain cereals, legumes
Sources of Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Milk, lean meats, fish, grains
Update) Health and Wellness Through Nutritional
Science Review | Q & A | Grade A| 100% Correct
(Verified Elaborations)
Carbohydrates
1. Carbohydrates are the preferred source of energy.
2. Each gram of a carbohydrate produces 4 kcal/g. Carbohydrates promote normal fat
metabolism; inadequate carbohydrate intake affects metabolism.
3. Carbohydrates serve as the main source of fuel, providing glucose for the brain and for the
skeletal muscles during exercise; carbohydrates also promote erythrocyte and leukocyte
production, and cell function.
4. Major food sources of carbohydrates include milk, grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Fats
1. Fats provide a concentrated source and a stored form of energy.
2. Fats protect internal organs and maintain body temperature.
3. Fats enhance absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins.
4. Fats provide 9 kcal/g.
5. Inadequate intake of essential fatty acids leads to clinical manifestations of sensitivity to cold,
skin lesions, increased risk of infection, and amenorrhea in women.
6. Diets high in fat can lead to obesity and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and some
cancers.
Proteins
Proteins
1. Amino acids, which make up proteins, are critical to all aspects of growth and development of
body tissues and provide 4 kcal/g.
, WGU D440 SAUNDERS Review (Latest 2025/ 2026
Update) Health and Wellness Through Nutritional
Science Review | Q & A | Grade A| 100% Correct
(Verified Elaborations)
2. Proteins build and repair body tissues, regulate fluid balance, maintain acid-base balance,
produce antibodies, provide energy, and produce enzymes and hormones.
3. Essential amino acids are required in the diet because the body cannot manufacture them.
4. Complete proteins contain all essential amino acids; incomplete proteins lack some of the
essential fatty acids.
5. Inadequate protein can cause protein energy malnutrition and severe wasting of fat and muscle
tissue.
Major stages of the life span with specific nutritional needs are
pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Adults and older adults may
experience physiological changes related to aging that will influence individual nutritional needs.
Define vitamin, and the role they play in the body.
1. Vitamins facilitate the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates and act as catalysts for
metabolic functions.
2. Vitamins promote life and growth processes and maintain and regulate body functions.
3. Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K can be stored in the body, so an excess can cause toxicity.
4. The B vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble vitamins, are not stored in the body, and can
be excreted in the urine.
Define Minerals and electrolytes and their functions.
1. Minerals are components of hormones, cells, tissues, and bones.
2. Minerals act as catalysts for chemical reactions and enhancers of cell function.
, WGU D440 SAUNDERS Review (Latest 2025/ 2026
Update) Health and Wellness Through Nutritional
Science Review | Q & A | Grade A| 100% Correct
(Verified Elaborations)
What are Water-Soluble Vitamins?
Folic acid:
Niacin:
Vitamin B1 (thiamine):
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin):
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine):
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin):
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid):
Sources of Folic Acid
Green leafy vegetables, liver, beef, fish, legumes, grapefruit, oranges
Sources of Niacin
Meats, poultry, fish, beans, peanuts, grains
Sources of Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Pork, nuts, whole-grain cereals, legumes
Sources of Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Milk, lean meats, fish, grains
