NVCC DIT 121 EXAM 3 2026/2027 – STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS, EXAM
REVIEW & TEST PREP
What are phytochemicals? Name an example and explain the benefit. - correct answer ✔✔-no nutrient
compounds found in plants that confer taste, color, aromas, and other characteristics. Some have
biological and physiological effects on the body acting as antioxidants, destroying bacteria, mimicking
hormones, and surprising inflammation
-capsaicin - modulates blood clotting and possibly reduces the risk of some cancers and other diseases -
hot peppers
Vitamin A - correct answer ✔✔Function: Vision; maintenance of cornea, epithelial cells, mucous
membranes, skin: bone and tooth growth, reproduction; immunity
Deficiency: Night blindness, blindness, impaired immunity, Keratinization- accumulation of keratin in a
tissue, Hypovitaminosis
Best source of foods: Retinol: fortified milk, cheese, butter
Beta-carotene: veggies; leafy greens, oranges
Vitamin D - correct answer ✔✔Function: Mineralization of bones (raises blood calcium and phosphorus
by increasing absorption from the digestive tract, withdrawing calcium from bones, and stimulating
retention by kidneys
Deficiency: Rickets- misshaped bones, bowed legs, deformities in ribs, Osteomalacia/osteoporosis- loss
of calcium, deformed bones, progressive weakness, pain in pelvis, lower back and legs
Best Food Source: sunlight, fortified milk, butter, egg yolk, fatty fish
Vitamin E - correct answer ✔✔Function - its main action is to stop the chain reaction of free radicals
from producing more free radicals. Antioxident (stabilization of cell membrances, regulation of oxidation
reactions, protection of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin A)
Deficiency - none, however can cause red blood cell breakage, never damge
Best Food Source - Polyunsaturated plant oils, dark greens, leafy veggies, wheat germ, whole grains,
nuts, seeds, fatty meats
Vitamin K - correct answer ✔✔Function - Synthesis of blood clotting proteins and bone proteins
Deficiency - Hemorrhaging
Best Food Source - Bacterial synthesis in the GI tract, Dark greens and leafy veggies
What is beta-carotene? Where do we find it? Why is it important in the diet? - correct answer ✔✔-Beta-
carotene is an antioxidant, it is a carotenoids; has an orange pigment and is a vitamin a precursor found
in plants. It can be split to form retinol in the intestine and liver. It protects the skin from sun damage.
What is the daily-recommended intake of water for adults? - correct answer ✔✔at least 8 cups a day
-this could change based on environment and how much you exercise
• Iron - correct answer ✔✔Function - part of protein hemoglobin which carries oxygen in the blood, part
of the protein myoglobin in muscles which makes oxygen available for muscle contraction; necessary for
the utilization of energy as part of the cells metabolic machinery.
, Deficiency symptoms - Anemia, weakness, fatigue, headaches, impaired work performance, and
cognitive function, impaired immunity, pale skin, pica, concave nails.
Best Food Source - Red meats, fish, poultry, eggs, legumes
• Iodine - correct answer ✔✔Function - it is integral part of the thyroid hormones that regulate body
temperate, metabolic rate, reproduction, growth, blood cells production, nerve and muscle function, and
more
Deficiency symptoms - underactive thyroid gland, goiter - enlargement of the thyroid gland, mental and
physical retardation in infants
Best Food Source - iodize salt, seafood, bread, dairy products, plants grown in iodine rich soil and
animals that are feed from plants grown in that area
• Fluoride - correct answer ✔✔Function - strengthens teeth and helps make them resistant to decay
Deficiency symptoms - tooth decay
Best Food Source - water, tea, seafood
• Zinc - correct answer ✔✔Function - part of many enzymes; associated with hormone insulin, involved
in making genetic material in proteins, immune reactions, transport of Vitamin A, taste perception,
wound healing, the making of sperm, and normal development of a fetus
Deficiency symptoms - growth retardation, delayed sexual maturation, impaired immune system, hair
loss, eye and skin lesions, loss of appetite
Best Food Source - protein containing foods: red meats, shellfish, whole grains, some fortified cereal
• Sodium - correct answer ✔✔Function - Maintains normal fluid and electrolyte balance, assists in nerve
impulse transmission and muscle contraction
Deficiency symptoms - Hyponatremia from excessive sodium loss
Best Food Source - table salt, moderate amounts in meats, milks, breads and large amounts in processed
foods
• Potassium - correct answer ✔✔Function - Maintains normal fluid function and electrolyte balance;
supports cell integrity, assists in nerve impulse transmission and muscle contractions
Deficiency symptoms - irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, glucose intolerance
Best Food Source - fresh fruits and veggies, legumes, seeds, nuts, meats, poultry and seafood
• Chromium - correct answer ✔✔Function - enhances insulin action and may improve glucose tolerance
Deficiency symptoms - diabetes like condition
Best Food Source - meats especially liver, whole grains, brewers yeast
• Magnesium - correct answer ✔✔Function - Bone mineralization, building protein, enzyme action,
normal muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, maintance of teeth, and a functioning immune
system
Deficiency symptoms - weakness, confusion,
If extreame - convulsion, bizarre muscle movements (especially eye and face muscle), hallucianations,
and difficulty swallowing,
In children - growth failure
Best Food Source - Nuts, legumes, whole grains, dark green veggies, seafood, and chocolate
REVIEW & TEST PREP
What are phytochemicals? Name an example and explain the benefit. - correct answer ✔✔-no nutrient
compounds found in plants that confer taste, color, aromas, and other characteristics. Some have
biological and physiological effects on the body acting as antioxidants, destroying bacteria, mimicking
hormones, and surprising inflammation
-capsaicin - modulates blood clotting and possibly reduces the risk of some cancers and other diseases -
hot peppers
Vitamin A - correct answer ✔✔Function: Vision; maintenance of cornea, epithelial cells, mucous
membranes, skin: bone and tooth growth, reproduction; immunity
Deficiency: Night blindness, blindness, impaired immunity, Keratinization- accumulation of keratin in a
tissue, Hypovitaminosis
Best source of foods: Retinol: fortified milk, cheese, butter
Beta-carotene: veggies; leafy greens, oranges
Vitamin D - correct answer ✔✔Function: Mineralization of bones (raises blood calcium and phosphorus
by increasing absorption from the digestive tract, withdrawing calcium from bones, and stimulating
retention by kidneys
Deficiency: Rickets- misshaped bones, bowed legs, deformities in ribs, Osteomalacia/osteoporosis- loss
of calcium, deformed bones, progressive weakness, pain in pelvis, lower back and legs
Best Food Source: sunlight, fortified milk, butter, egg yolk, fatty fish
Vitamin E - correct answer ✔✔Function - its main action is to stop the chain reaction of free radicals
from producing more free radicals. Antioxident (stabilization of cell membrances, regulation of oxidation
reactions, protection of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin A)
Deficiency - none, however can cause red blood cell breakage, never damge
Best Food Source - Polyunsaturated plant oils, dark greens, leafy veggies, wheat germ, whole grains,
nuts, seeds, fatty meats
Vitamin K - correct answer ✔✔Function - Synthesis of blood clotting proteins and bone proteins
Deficiency - Hemorrhaging
Best Food Source - Bacterial synthesis in the GI tract, Dark greens and leafy veggies
What is beta-carotene? Where do we find it? Why is it important in the diet? - correct answer ✔✔-Beta-
carotene is an antioxidant, it is a carotenoids; has an orange pigment and is a vitamin a precursor found
in plants. It can be split to form retinol in the intestine and liver. It protects the skin from sun damage.
What is the daily-recommended intake of water for adults? - correct answer ✔✔at least 8 cups a day
-this could change based on environment and how much you exercise
• Iron - correct answer ✔✔Function - part of protein hemoglobin which carries oxygen in the blood, part
of the protein myoglobin in muscles which makes oxygen available for muscle contraction; necessary for
the utilization of energy as part of the cells metabolic machinery.
, Deficiency symptoms - Anemia, weakness, fatigue, headaches, impaired work performance, and
cognitive function, impaired immunity, pale skin, pica, concave nails.
Best Food Source - Red meats, fish, poultry, eggs, legumes
• Iodine - correct answer ✔✔Function - it is integral part of the thyroid hormones that regulate body
temperate, metabolic rate, reproduction, growth, blood cells production, nerve and muscle function, and
more
Deficiency symptoms - underactive thyroid gland, goiter - enlargement of the thyroid gland, mental and
physical retardation in infants
Best Food Source - iodize salt, seafood, bread, dairy products, plants grown in iodine rich soil and
animals that are feed from plants grown in that area
• Fluoride - correct answer ✔✔Function - strengthens teeth and helps make them resistant to decay
Deficiency symptoms - tooth decay
Best Food Source - water, tea, seafood
• Zinc - correct answer ✔✔Function - part of many enzymes; associated with hormone insulin, involved
in making genetic material in proteins, immune reactions, transport of Vitamin A, taste perception,
wound healing, the making of sperm, and normal development of a fetus
Deficiency symptoms - growth retardation, delayed sexual maturation, impaired immune system, hair
loss, eye and skin lesions, loss of appetite
Best Food Source - protein containing foods: red meats, shellfish, whole grains, some fortified cereal
• Sodium - correct answer ✔✔Function - Maintains normal fluid and electrolyte balance, assists in nerve
impulse transmission and muscle contraction
Deficiency symptoms - Hyponatremia from excessive sodium loss
Best Food Source - table salt, moderate amounts in meats, milks, breads and large amounts in processed
foods
• Potassium - correct answer ✔✔Function - Maintains normal fluid function and electrolyte balance;
supports cell integrity, assists in nerve impulse transmission and muscle contractions
Deficiency symptoms - irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, glucose intolerance
Best Food Source - fresh fruits and veggies, legumes, seeds, nuts, meats, poultry and seafood
• Chromium - correct answer ✔✔Function - enhances insulin action and may improve glucose tolerance
Deficiency symptoms - diabetes like condition
Best Food Source - meats especially liver, whole grains, brewers yeast
• Magnesium - correct answer ✔✔Function - Bone mineralization, building protein, enzyme action,
normal muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, maintance of teeth, and a functioning immune
system
Deficiency symptoms - weakness, confusion,
If extreame - convulsion, bizarre muscle movements (especially eye and face muscle), hallucianations,
and difficulty swallowing,
In children - growth failure
Best Food Source - Nuts, legumes, whole grains, dark green veggies, seafood, and chocolate
