NUSCTX 10 MIDTERM 1, NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES UC
BERKELEY, NUSCTX 10 EXAM QUESTIONS, NUSCTX
MIDTERM STUDY GUIDE, NUTRITION PRACTICE TEST,
NUSCTX VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. Which of the following is considered an essential nutrient?
A. Alcohol
B. Vitamin C
C. Glucose
D. Cholesterol
Answer: B. Vitamin C
Rationale: Essential nutrients cannot be synthesized by the body in
adequate amounts and must be obtained from the diet. Vitamin C is
essential; glucose can be made from other macronutrients, cholesterol can
be synthesized, and alcohol is not a nutrient.
2. The primary site of nutrient absorption is the:
A. Stomach
B. Large intestine
C. Small intestine
D. Pancreas
Answer: C. Small intestine
Rationale: Most macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals are absorbed in the
small intestine through villi and microvilli.
,3. Which macronutrient provides the most energy per gram?
A. Protein
B. Carbohydrate
C. Fat
D. Fiber
Answer: C. Fat
Rationale: Fat provides 9 kcal/gram, while protein and carbohydrate
provide 4 kcal/gram, and fiber contributes little to none.
4. Which organ produces bile to aid in fat digestion?
A. Stomach
B. Gallbladder
C. Liver
D. Pancreas
Answer: C. Liver
Rationale: The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and
released into the small intestine to emulsify fats.
5. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is designed to:
A. Prevent nutrient toxicity
B. Meet the needs of nearly all healthy individuals (97–98%)
C. Represent average daily intake
D. Apply to individuals with specific diseases
Answer: B. Meet the needs of nearly all healthy individuals (97–98%)
Rationale: RDAs are based on scientific evidence to cover the needs of
nearly the entire healthy population.
,6. The primary storage form of carbohydrate in humans is:
A. Glucose
B. Glycogen
C. Starch
D. Fiber
Answer: B. Glycogen
Rationale: Humans store carbohydrates as glycogen in the liver and
muscle. Plants store carbohydrates as starch.
7. Which of the following is a disaccharide?
A. Glucose
B. Fructose
C. Maltose
D. Galactose
Answer: C. Maltose
Rationale: Disaccharides are two monosaccharides linked together.
Maltose = glucose + glucose.
8. Protein digestion begins in the:
A. Mouth
B. Stomach
C. Small intestine
D. Large intestine
Answer: B. Stomach
Rationale: Pepsin, activated by stomach acid, begins breaking down
proteins into peptides.
, 9. The thermic effect of food (TEF) refers to:
A. Energy used for physical activity
B. Energy required to digest, absorb, and metabolize nutrients
C. Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
D. Energy lost in feces
Answer: B. Energy required to digest, absorb, and metabolize nutrients
Rationale: TEF accounts for ~5–10% of daily energy expenditure.
10. Which fat-soluble vitamin is most associated with vision and night
blindness?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin E
D. Vitamin K
Answer: A. Vitamin A
Rationale: Vitamin A is required for rhodopsin formation in the retina;
deficiency leads to night blindness.
11. Which nutrient is MOST energy dense?
A. Alcohol
B. Fat
C. Protein
D. Carbohydrate
Answer: B. Fat
Rationale: Fat provides 9 kcal/gram compared to protein and carbohydrate
(4 kcal/g) and alcohol (7 kcal/g).
BERKELEY, NUSCTX 10 EXAM QUESTIONS, NUSCTX
MIDTERM STUDY GUIDE, NUTRITION PRACTICE TEST,
NUSCTX VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. Which of the following is considered an essential nutrient?
A. Alcohol
B. Vitamin C
C. Glucose
D. Cholesterol
Answer: B. Vitamin C
Rationale: Essential nutrients cannot be synthesized by the body in
adequate amounts and must be obtained from the diet. Vitamin C is
essential; glucose can be made from other macronutrients, cholesterol can
be synthesized, and alcohol is not a nutrient.
2. The primary site of nutrient absorption is the:
A. Stomach
B. Large intestine
C. Small intestine
D. Pancreas
Answer: C. Small intestine
Rationale: Most macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals are absorbed in the
small intestine through villi and microvilli.
,3. Which macronutrient provides the most energy per gram?
A. Protein
B. Carbohydrate
C. Fat
D. Fiber
Answer: C. Fat
Rationale: Fat provides 9 kcal/gram, while protein and carbohydrate
provide 4 kcal/gram, and fiber contributes little to none.
4. Which organ produces bile to aid in fat digestion?
A. Stomach
B. Gallbladder
C. Liver
D. Pancreas
Answer: C. Liver
Rationale: The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and
released into the small intestine to emulsify fats.
5. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is designed to:
A. Prevent nutrient toxicity
B. Meet the needs of nearly all healthy individuals (97–98%)
C. Represent average daily intake
D. Apply to individuals with specific diseases
Answer: B. Meet the needs of nearly all healthy individuals (97–98%)
Rationale: RDAs are based on scientific evidence to cover the needs of
nearly the entire healthy population.
,6. The primary storage form of carbohydrate in humans is:
A. Glucose
B. Glycogen
C. Starch
D. Fiber
Answer: B. Glycogen
Rationale: Humans store carbohydrates as glycogen in the liver and
muscle. Plants store carbohydrates as starch.
7. Which of the following is a disaccharide?
A. Glucose
B. Fructose
C. Maltose
D. Galactose
Answer: C. Maltose
Rationale: Disaccharides are two monosaccharides linked together.
Maltose = glucose + glucose.
8. Protein digestion begins in the:
A. Mouth
B. Stomach
C. Small intestine
D. Large intestine
Answer: B. Stomach
Rationale: Pepsin, activated by stomach acid, begins breaking down
proteins into peptides.
, 9. The thermic effect of food (TEF) refers to:
A. Energy used for physical activity
B. Energy required to digest, absorb, and metabolize nutrients
C. Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
D. Energy lost in feces
Answer: B. Energy required to digest, absorb, and metabolize nutrients
Rationale: TEF accounts for ~5–10% of daily energy expenditure.
10. Which fat-soluble vitamin is most associated with vision and night
blindness?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin E
D. Vitamin K
Answer: A. Vitamin A
Rationale: Vitamin A is required for rhodopsin formation in the retina;
deficiency leads to night blindness.
11. Which nutrient is MOST energy dense?
A. Alcohol
B. Fat
C. Protein
D. Carbohydrate
Answer: B. Fat
Rationale: Fat provides 9 kcal/gram compared to protein and carbohydrate
(4 kcal/g) and alcohol (7 kcal/g).
