SCL-131 Introduction to Nutrition
Final Examination Practice
Questions & Verified Solutions
2026-2027
Section 1: Fundamentals of Human Nutrition &
Macronutrients
Q1. Which macronutrient provides 9 kilocalories per gram and serves as the primary
energy storage molecule in human physiological tissue?
A) Proteins
B) Carbohydrates
C) Lipids
D) Dietary fiber
Correct Answer: C) Lipids
Rationale: Lipids yield 9 kcal/g, making them significantly more energy-dense than
carbohydrates and proteins, which yield 4 kcal/g. Fiber provides minimal usable energy because
human digestive enzymes cannot break down its beta-glycosidic bonds.
Q2. What organ is the primary site for the enzymatic digestion and absorption of dietary
nutrients in the human body?
A) Small intestine
B) Stomach
C) Large intestine
D) Liver
Correct Answer: A) Small intestine
Rationale: The small intestine features extensive villi and microvilli surface area, receiving
pancreatic enzymes and bile to complete nutrient breakdown and absorption. The stomach
primarily handles initial protein churning, while the large intestine absorbs water and
electrolytes.
Q3. An individual consumes a meal containing 60 grams of carbohydrates, 20 grams of
protein, and 15 grams of fat. What is the total caloric intake provided by this meal?
A) 380 kcal
B) 455 kcal
C) 520 kcal
D) 610 kcal
Correct Answer: B) 455 kcal
Rationale: Calculating energy yield gives: (60g carb x 4) + (20g protein x 4) + (15g fat x 9) =
240 + 80 + 135 = 455 kcal. Options A, C, and D stem from miscalculating fat values or mixing
up protein caloric densities.
Q4. Which polysaccharide functions as the primary storage form of glucose in human
, liver and skeletal muscle tissues?
A) Amylose
B) Cellulose
C) Amylopectin
D) Glycogen
Correct Answer: D) Glycogen
Rationale: Glycogen is a highly branched polymer of glucose synthesized in animal tissues for
rapid energy mobilization. Amylose and amylopectin are plant starches, and cellulose is an
indigestible structural fiber.
Q5. During prolonged starvation, which process synthesizes glucose from non-
carbohydrate precursors like amino acids and glycerol in the liver?
A) Glycolysis
B) Gluconeogenesis
C) Glycogenolysis
D) Lipogenesis
Correct Answer: B) Gluconeogenesis
Rationale: Gluconeogenesis builds new glucose molecules from amino acids, lactate, and
glycerol when glycogen stores are exhausted. Glycolysis breaks down glucose, whereas
glycogenolysis simply cleaves pre-stored glycogen.
Q6. Which lipid component is essential in human diets because the body cannot
synthesize omega-3 and omega-6 double bonds?
A) Essential fatty acids
B) Saturated fatty acids
C) Cholesterol
D) Phospholipids
Correct Answer: A) Essential fatty acids
Rationale: Humans lack desaturase enzymes capable of placing double bonds before the
carbon-9 position, making alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6) dietary
necessities. Cholesterol and saturated fats can be produced endogenously.
Q7. What hormone is secreted by beta cells in the pancreas in response to elevated
blood glucose concentrations following a meal?
A) Glucagon
B) Epinephrine
C) Insulin
D) Cortisol
Correct Answer: C) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin promotes cellular uptake and storage of glucose when blood concentrations
rise. Glucagon acts as its opponent during fasting to elevate blood sugar by breaking down liver
glycogen.
Q8. Complete dietary proteins contain adequate amounts of all essential amino acids.
Which food source is classified as a complete protein?
A) Eggs
B) Kidney beans
C) Whole wheat bread
D) Peanuts
Correct Answer: A) Eggs
Rationale: Animal-derived foods like eggs, dairy, poultry, and meat provide all essential amino
acids in optimal ratios for human tissue repair. Plant foods usually lack one or more essential
amino acids unless combined thoughtfully.
Q9. Which lipoprotein carries dietary triglycerides from the intestinal mucosal cells
through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream?
Final Examination Practice
Questions & Verified Solutions
2026-2027
Section 1: Fundamentals of Human Nutrition &
Macronutrients
Q1. Which macronutrient provides 9 kilocalories per gram and serves as the primary
energy storage molecule in human physiological tissue?
A) Proteins
B) Carbohydrates
C) Lipids
D) Dietary fiber
Correct Answer: C) Lipids
Rationale: Lipids yield 9 kcal/g, making them significantly more energy-dense than
carbohydrates and proteins, which yield 4 kcal/g. Fiber provides minimal usable energy because
human digestive enzymes cannot break down its beta-glycosidic bonds.
Q2. What organ is the primary site for the enzymatic digestion and absorption of dietary
nutrients in the human body?
A) Small intestine
B) Stomach
C) Large intestine
D) Liver
Correct Answer: A) Small intestine
Rationale: The small intestine features extensive villi and microvilli surface area, receiving
pancreatic enzymes and bile to complete nutrient breakdown and absorption. The stomach
primarily handles initial protein churning, while the large intestine absorbs water and
electrolytes.
Q3. An individual consumes a meal containing 60 grams of carbohydrates, 20 grams of
protein, and 15 grams of fat. What is the total caloric intake provided by this meal?
A) 380 kcal
B) 455 kcal
C) 520 kcal
D) 610 kcal
Correct Answer: B) 455 kcal
Rationale: Calculating energy yield gives: (60g carb x 4) + (20g protein x 4) + (15g fat x 9) =
240 + 80 + 135 = 455 kcal. Options A, C, and D stem from miscalculating fat values or mixing
up protein caloric densities.
Q4. Which polysaccharide functions as the primary storage form of glucose in human
, liver and skeletal muscle tissues?
A) Amylose
B) Cellulose
C) Amylopectin
D) Glycogen
Correct Answer: D) Glycogen
Rationale: Glycogen is a highly branched polymer of glucose synthesized in animal tissues for
rapid energy mobilization. Amylose and amylopectin are plant starches, and cellulose is an
indigestible structural fiber.
Q5. During prolonged starvation, which process synthesizes glucose from non-
carbohydrate precursors like amino acids and glycerol in the liver?
A) Glycolysis
B) Gluconeogenesis
C) Glycogenolysis
D) Lipogenesis
Correct Answer: B) Gluconeogenesis
Rationale: Gluconeogenesis builds new glucose molecules from amino acids, lactate, and
glycerol when glycogen stores are exhausted. Glycolysis breaks down glucose, whereas
glycogenolysis simply cleaves pre-stored glycogen.
Q6. Which lipid component is essential in human diets because the body cannot
synthesize omega-3 and omega-6 double bonds?
A) Essential fatty acids
B) Saturated fatty acids
C) Cholesterol
D) Phospholipids
Correct Answer: A) Essential fatty acids
Rationale: Humans lack desaturase enzymes capable of placing double bonds before the
carbon-9 position, making alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6) dietary
necessities. Cholesterol and saturated fats can be produced endogenously.
Q7. What hormone is secreted by beta cells in the pancreas in response to elevated
blood glucose concentrations following a meal?
A) Glucagon
B) Epinephrine
C) Insulin
D) Cortisol
Correct Answer: C) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin promotes cellular uptake and storage of glucose when blood concentrations
rise. Glucagon acts as its opponent during fasting to elevate blood sugar by breaking down liver
glycogen.
Q8. Complete dietary proteins contain adequate amounts of all essential amino acids.
Which food source is classified as a complete protein?
A) Eggs
B) Kidney beans
C) Whole wheat bread
D) Peanuts
Correct Answer: A) Eggs
Rationale: Animal-derived foods like eggs, dairy, poultry, and meat provide all essential amino
acids in optimal ratios for human tissue repair. Plant foods usually lack one or more essential
amino acids unless combined thoughtfully.
Q9. Which lipoprotein carries dietary triglycerides from the intestinal mucosal cells
through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream?
