HNF 150 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
UPDATE
Discuss the reasons why a moderate intake of lipids is an essential part of a healthy
diet, and explain the difference between energy density and nutrient density - Answers -
A moderate intake of lipids is essential for nutrient absorption, energy storage, and
various bodily functions. Energy density refers to the calories per gram of a food, while
nutrient density considers the amount of essential nutrients per calorie.
Compare the three types of lipids - Answers - Triglycerides are the most common,
providing energy; phospholipids are key for cell membranes; sterols serve as hormone
precursors.
Name the 2 essential fatty acids and explain why they are essential - Answers - Linoleic
acid (Omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (Omega-3) are essential for health and must be
obtained from the diet to support various bodily functions.
Describe the process of digestion and absorption of triglycerides, and the different
absorption routes of smaller (short-chain) and larger (long-chain) fatty acids - Answers -
Short chain fatty acids get absorbed right into the bloodstream and travel to the liver via
the portal vein.Long chain fatty acids must first merge into micelles to be absorbed into
the intestinal cells. The monoglycerides and free fatty acids cells then assemble into
new triglycerides and then are packaged up into a chylomicron.
Describe lipid transport and identify functions of and differences between blood
lipoproteins - Answers - Lipoproteins transport lipids in the blood. Chylomicrons
transport dietary lipids; VLDL transports synthesized triglycerides; LDL carries
cholesterol to cells; HDL removes cholesterol from the bloodstream.
Compare and contrast the physical properties of saturated, polyunsaturated,
monounsaturated, and trans fatty acids/fats - Answers - Saturated fats are solid at room
temperature; monounsaturated are liquid; polyunsaturated are liquid; trans fats, often
solid, are associated with heart disease.
Identify common food sources of cholesterol, saturated, monounsaturated,
polyunsaturated, trans, and omega-3 fatty acids - Answers - Examples include eggs for
cholesterol, coconut oil for saturated fat, olive oil for monounsaturated fat, corn oil for
polyunsaturated fat, partially hydrogenated oils for trans fat, and fatty fish for omega-3.
State the definition and causes of atherosclerosis and describe the process of forming
plaque. Why is LDL "bad" and HDL "good"? What can cause vascular injuries? -
Answers - Atherosclerosis is plaque buildup in arteries. LDL is "bad" as it carries
,cholesterol to vessel walls, causing plaques. HDL is "good" for removing excess
cholesterol. Vascular injuries may result from factors like high blood pressure.
State the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for trans and saturated fat - Answers -
Saturated fat—Less than 10 percent of calories per day starting at age 2.
The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish every week. Which
nutrient is this recommendation based upon? - Answers - Omega-3 fatty acids.
Why are other agencies recommending that Americans eat less fish? - Answers -
Concerns about contaminants like mercury.
What are the best choices of fish from an ecological and sustainable perspective? What
are some ecological and sustainable alternatives to eating fish? - Answers - Best
choices: High omega-3, sustainably caught. Alternatives: Plant-based omega-3 sources
like flaxseeds.
satiety - Answers - The feeling of fullness or satisfaction after a meal.
Essential Fatty Acid - Answers - Fatty acids that the body cannot produce and must be
obtained from the diet.
Triglycerides - Answers - The most common type of fat in the body and food.
Fatty Acid Chain Length - Answers - Refers to the number of carbon atoms in a fatty
acid chain.
Fatty Acid Saturation - Answers - Describes whether a fatty acid has single or multiple
bonds.
Hydrogenation - Answers - Process of adding hydrogen to unsaturated fats to make
them more solid.
Partial Hydrogenation - Answers - A process that can produce trans fats.
Trans Fatty Acid - Answers - Fatty acids with a trans configuration, associated with
increased heart disease risk.
Phospholipid - Answers - Lipid containing a phosphate group, a key component of cell
membranes.
Sterol - Answers - A type of lipid with a structure different from triglycerides and
phospholipids.
Cholesterol - Answers - A sterol that is a component of cell membranes and a precursor
for hormones
, Pancreas - Answers - An organ that secretes digestive enzymes.
Bile - Answers - A substance produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, aids in
fat digestion.
Gallbladder - Answers - An organ that stores bile.
Emulsification - Answers - Breaking down large fat droplets into smaller ones, aiding
digestion.
Lipoprotein - Answers - A complex of lipids and proteins, including chylomicrons, VLDL,
IDL, LDL, and HDL.
Micelle - Answers - A structure formed by lipids in the small intestine to aid absorption.
Chylomicron - Answers - A lipoprotein that transports dietary lipids from the small
intestine to the body.
VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein) - Answers - A lipoprotein that transports
triglycerides synthesized in the liver.
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) - Answers - A lipoprotein that carries cholesterol from the
liver to the cells.
HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) - Answers - A lipoprotein that removes cholesterol from
the bloodstream.
Linoleic Acid - Answers - An essential omega-6 fatty acid.
Linolenic Acid - Answers - An essential omega-3 fatty acid.
CVD (Cardiovascular Disease) - Answers - A group of disorders of the heart and blood
vessels.
Atherosclerosis - Answers - The buildup of plaques in the arteries.
Aneurysm - Answers - A bulge in a blood vessel wall.
Thrombosis - Answers - Formation of a blood clot.
Embolism - Answers - The lodging of an embolus in a blood vessel.
Heart Attack - Answers - Damage or death of part of the heart muscle due to a lack of
blood supply.
UPDATE
Discuss the reasons why a moderate intake of lipids is an essential part of a healthy
diet, and explain the difference between energy density and nutrient density - Answers -
A moderate intake of lipids is essential for nutrient absorption, energy storage, and
various bodily functions. Energy density refers to the calories per gram of a food, while
nutrient density considers the amount of essential nutrients per calorie.
Compare the three types of lipids - Answers - Triglycerides are the most common,
providing energy; phospholipids are key for cell membranes; sterols serve as hormone
precursors.
Name the 2 essential fatty acids and explain why they are essential - Answers - Linoleic
acid (Omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (Omega-3) are essential for health and must be
obtained from the diet to support various bodily functions.
Describe the process of digestion and absorption of triglycerides, and the different
absorption routes of smaller (short-chain) and larger (long-chain) fatty acids - Answers -
Short chain fatty acids get absorbed right into the bloodstream and travel to the liver via
the portal vein.Long chain fatty acids must first merge into micelles to be absorbed into
the intestinal cells. The monoglycerides and free fatty acids cells then assemble into
new triglycerides and then are packaged up into a chylomicron.
Describe lipid transport and identify functions of and differences between blood
lipoproteins - Answers - Lipoproteins transport lipids in the blood. Chylomicrons
transport dietary lipids; VLDL transports synthesized triglycerides; LDL carries
cholesterol to cells; HDL removes cholesterol from the bloodstream.
Compare and contrast the physical properties of saturated, polyunsaturated,
monounsaturated, and trans fatty acids/fats - Answers - Saturated fats are solid at room
temperature; monounsaturated are liquid; polyunsaturated are liquid; trans fats, often
solid, are associated with heart disease.
Identify common food sources of cholesterol, saturated, monounsaturated,
polyunsaturated, trans, and omega-3 fatty acids - Answers - Examples include eggs for
cholesterol, coconut oil for saturated fat, olive oil for monounsaturated fat, corn oil for
polyunsaturated fat, partially hydrogenated oils for trans fat, and fatty fish for omega-3.
State the definition and causes of atherosclerosis and describe the process of forming
plaque. Why is LDL "bad" and HDL "good"? What can cause vascular injuries? -
Answers - Atherosclerosis is plaque buildup in arteries. LDL is "bad" as it carries
,cholesterol to vessel walls, causing plaques. HDL is "good" for removing excess
cholesterol. Vascular injuries may result from factors like high blood pressure.
State the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for trans and saturated fat - Answers -
Saturated fat—Less than 10 percent of calories per day starting at age 2.
The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish every week. Which
nutrient is this recommendation based upon? - Answers - Omega-3 fatty acids.
Why are other agencies recommending that Americans eat less fish? - Answers -
Concerns about contaminants like mercury.
What are the best choices of fish from an ecological and sustainable perspective? What
are some ecological and sustainable alternatives to eating fish? - Answers - Best
choices: High omega-3, sustainably caught. Alternatives: Plant-based omega-3 sources
like flaxseeds.
satiety - Answers - The feeling of fullness or satisfaction after a meal.
Essential Fatty Acid - Answers - Fatty acids that the body cannot produce and must be
obtained from the diet.
Triglycerides - Answers - The most common type of fat in the body and food.
Fatty Acid Chain Length - Answers - Refers to the number of carbon atoms in a fatty
acid chain.
Fatty Acid Saturation - Answers - Describes whether a fatty acid has single or multiple
bonds.
Hydrogenation - Answers - Process of adding hydrogen to unsaturated fats to make
them more solid.
Partial Hydrogenation - Answers - A process that can produce trans fats.
Trans Fatty Acid - Answers - Fatty acids with a trans configuration, associated with
increased heart disease risk.
Phospholipid - Answers - Lipid containing a phosphate group, a key component of cell
membranes.
Sterol - Answers - A type of lipid with a structure different from triglycerides and
phospholipids.
Cholesterol - Answers - A sterol that is a component of cell membranes and a precursor
for hormones
, Pancreas - Answers - An organ that secretes digestive enzymes.
Bile - Answers - A substance produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, aids in
fat digestion.
Gallbladder - Answers - An organ that stores bile.
Emulsification - Answers - Breaking down large fat droplets into smaller ones, aiding
digestion.
Lipoprotein - Answers - A complex of lipids and proteins, including chylomicrons, VLDL,
IDL, LDL, and HDL.
Micelle - Answers - A structure formed by lipids in the small intestine to aid absorption.
Chylomicron - Answers - A lipoprotein that transports dietary lipids from the small
intestine to the body.
VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein) - Answers - A lipoprotein that transports
triglycerides synthesized in the liver.
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) - Answers - A lipoprotein that carries cholesterol from the
liver to the cells.
HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) - Answers - A lipoprotein that removes cholesterol from
the bloodstream.
Linoleic Acid - Answers - An essential omega-6 fatty acid.
Linolenic Acid - Answers - An essential omega-3 fatty acid.
CVD (Cardiovascular Disease) - Answers - A group of disorders of the heart and blood
vessels.
Atherosclerosis - Answers - The buildup of plaques in the arteries.
Aneurysm - Answers - A bulge in a blood vessel wall.
Thrombosis - Answers - Formation of a blood clot.
Embolism - Answers - The lodging of an embolus in a blood vessel.
Heart Attack - Answers - Damage or death of part of the heart muscle due to a lack of
blood supply.
