BIOD 121 NUTRITION MODULE 1 EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025/26
Nutrition
the science that links foods to health and disease. It includes the processes by which
humans ingest, digest, absorb, transport, and excrete food substances.
When considering one's health, five dimensions can be evaluated:
1. Physical Health
2. Intellectual Health
3. Emotional health
4. Social Health
5. Spiritual Health
What is the difference between food and nutrients?
Food provides energy in terms of calories, while nutrients are substances found in food
that provide the materials for building and maintaining our bodies and regulating of key
metabolic processes that sustain life.
science of nutrition
provides the information consumers need to make wise food choices based on their age
and lifestyle
What are two most important reasons specific foods are consumed in North
America?
Taste & Texture
Hunger
the internal drive often experienced as a negative sensation such as churning, growling,
or a painful sensation in the stomach. (Negative)
Appetite
the external drive often related to pleasant sensations associated with food and can
lead us to eat even if we are not hungry. (Positive)
satiety
Feeling of being full
hypothalamus
a region of the brain that plays a role in hunger as well the feeling of being full.
Describe how the hypothalamus regulates huger & satiety
When we have not eaten for a period of time, the concentration of nutrients in the blood
begin to decline. This drop stimulates the feeding center in the hypothalamus, which
then signals us to eat. When nutrient levels in the blood begin to rise, the satiety center
is activated, and our desire to continue eating declines. This sounds like a simple
process, but in reality, the hypothalamus is constantly processing signals from a variety
of nerves throughout the body, which collectively influences our food intake.
What happens if part of the hypothalamus is destroyed/damaged?
If a portion of the hypothalamus is damaged or destroyed (chemicals, trauma, surgery,
or cancer), the regulation of hunger and satiety can be lost. In such instances, the body
may no longer receive the vital signals required to stop eating, and weight gain is almost
certain.
gastrointestinal (GI) tract
, is the main site in the body used for digestion and absorption of nutrients. The GI tract
also contributes to the feeling of satiety.
What all does the GI Tract Consist of?
The GI tract consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine,
rectum, and anus.
stomach
plays a major role in satiety and weight regulation. As the stomach expands from food
intake and the nutrients consumed are absorbed, our desire to eat declines.
Hormones
compounds secreted into the bloodstream by one type of cell that acts to control the
function of another type of cell. As such, hormones can influence our feelings of hunger
or satiety.
Hormones that increase hunger
ghrelin, endorphins, neuropeptide-Y
Hormones that decrease hunger (increase satiety)
leptin, serotonin, cholecystokinin (CCK)
Leptin
alerts the brain to turn off the hunger center and activates the satiety center when
consuming a meal. Leptin production occurs in adipose (fat) cells.
Ghrelin
is produced by the stomach and has an opposing role: Traveling to the brain, it
stimulates the hunger center as it deactivates the satiety center.
T or F: Studies have found that obese individuals have higher levels of leptin than
their peers.
True
What are the external force categories that influence our food choices?
Sensory, Cognitive, Environmental, Health status
Sensory forces
- taste (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, or umami (ooh-ma-mee) - umami means meaty
sensation. This is very individualized. Some people prefer salty foods while others opt
for sweet. Our taste preferences are mainly determined by our genetic makeup.)
- smell
- texture (soft, hard, crunchy, or slimy)
- color
- moisture
- temperature
Cognitive forces
Habits, Comfort foods, advertising, social factors, nutritional value
Environmental Forces
Economics, lifestyle, cultural/religious, enironmental
Health Status forces
- physical restrictions related to disease
- declining taste sensitivity related to age or medications
- age and gender
Habits
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025/26
Nutrition
the science that links foods to health and disease. It includes the processes by which
humans ingest, digest, absorb, transport, and excrete food substances.
When considering one's health, five dimensions can be evaluated:
1. Physical Health
2. Intellectual Health
3. Emotional health
4. Social Health
5. Spiritual Health
What is the difference between food and nutrients?
Food provides energy in terms of calories, while nutrients are substances found in food
that provide the materials for building and maintaining our bodies and regulating of key
metabolic processes that sustain life.
science of nutrition
provides the information consumers need to make wise food choices based on their age
and lifestyle
What are two most important reasons specific foods are consumed in North
America?
Taste & Texture
Hunger
the internal drive often experienced as a negative sensation such as churning, growling,
or a painful sensation in the stomach. (Negative)
Appetite
the external drive often related to pleasant sensations associated with food and can
lead us to eat even if we are not hungry. (Positive)
satiety
Feeling of being full
hypothalamus
a region of the brain that plays a role in hunger as well the feeling of being full.
Describe how the hypothalamus regulates huger & satiety
When we have not eaten for a period of time, the concentration of nutrients in the blood
begin to decline. This drop stimulates the feeding center in the hypothalamus, which
then signals us to eat. When nutrient levels in the blood begin to rise, the satiety center
is activated, and our desire to continue eating declines. This sounds like a simple
process, but in reality, the hypothalamus is constantly processing signals from a variety
of nerves throughout the body, which collectively influences our food intake.
What happens if part of the hypothalamus is destroyed/damaged?
If a portion of the hypothalamus is damaged or destroyed (chemicals, trauma, surgery,
or cancer), the regulation of hunger and satiety can be lost. In such instances, the body
may no longer receive the vital signals required to stop eating, and weight gain is almost
certain.
gastrointestinal (GI) tract
, is the main site in the body used for digestion and absorption of nutrients. The GI tract
also contributes to the feeling of satiety.
What all does the GI Tract Consist of?
The GI tract consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine,
rectum, and anus.
stomach
plays a major role in satiety and weight regulation. As the stomach expands from food
intake and the nutrients consumed are absorbed, our desire to eat declines.
Hormones
compounds secreted into the bloodstream by one type of cell that acts to control the
function of another type of cell. As such, hormones can influence our feelings of hunger
or satiety.
Hormones that increase hunger
ghrelin, endorphins, neuropeptide-Y
Hormones that decrease hunger (increase satiety)
leptin, serotonin, cholecystokinin (CCK)
Leptin
alerts the brain to turn off the hunger center and activates the satiety center when
consuming a meal. Leptin production occurs in adipose (fat) cells.
Ghrelin
is produced by the stomach and has an opposing role: Traveling to the brain, it
stimulates the hunger center as it deactivates the satiety center.
T or F: Studies have found that obese individuals have higher levels of leptin than
their peers.
True
What are the external force categories that influence our food choices?
Sensory, Cognitive, Environmental, Health status
Sensory forces
- taste (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, or umami (ooh-ma-mee) - umami means meaty
sensation. This is very individualized. Some people prefer salty foods while others opt
for sweet. Our taste preferences are mainly determined by our genetic makeup.)
- smell
- texture (soft, hard, crunchy, or slimy)
- color
- moisture
- temperature
Cognitive forces
Habits, Comfort foods, advertising, social factors, nutritional value
Environmental Forces
Economics, lifestyle, cultural/religious, enironmental
Health Status forces
- physical restrictions related to disease
- declining taste sensitivity related to age or medications
- age and gender
Habits
