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BIOD 121
NUTRITION FINAL EXAM
2026/2027 EDITION
150 Practice Questions & Answers | Detailed Rationales | Latest Edition
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,Section 1: Brief Introduction
BIOD 121 introduces the science of human nutrition, from the digestion, absorption, and
metabolism of macronutrients and micronutrients to energy balance and nutritional
assessment. This final exam edition presents 150 scenario-based, calculation, and
knowledge-recall questions on nutrition across the lifespan, nutritional disorders, dietary
guidelines (including the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans), food safety,
therapeutic nutrition, chronic disease, sports nutrition, and food labeling. Every question
includes the highlighted correct answer and a rationale that explains the key distractors.
Section 2: The Complete Exam
1. Which disaccharide is composed of one glucose molecule and one galactose molecule?
A. Sucrose
B. Maltose
C. Lactose
D. Raffinose
Rationale: Lactose (milk sugar) is glucose bonded to galactose. Sucrose is glucose plus
fructose, maltose is two glucose units, and raffinose is a trisaccharide found in legumes.
2. What is the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for carbohydrate in healthy adults,
based on the average minimum amount of glucose used by the brain?
A. 130 grams per day
B. 45 grams per day
C. 225 grams per day
D. 300 grams per day
Rationale: The RDA of 130 g/day reflects the brain's estimated glucose requirement. Most
people eat more than this, and the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) of
45–65% of energy is the guide for typical intake rather than the RDA.
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,3. According to the Dietary Reference Intakes, what is the Acceptable Macronutrient
Distribution Range (AMDR) for carbohydrate in adults?
A. 20–35% of total energy
B. 10–35% of total energy
C. 45–65% of total energy
D. 65–80% of total energy
Rationale: The AMDR for carbohydrate is 45–65% of total kilocalories. Twenty to thirty-five
percent is the range for fat and 10–35% is the range for protein, while 65–80% exceeds the
recommended range.
4. Which statement describes a characteristic of soluble fiber such as the beta-glucan in
oats?
A. It forms a viscous gel that slows glucose absorption and binds bile acids,
helping to lower LDL cholesterol
B. It mainly adds bulk to stool, as seen with wheat bran, and has no effect on blood lipids
C. It is digested by pancreatic amylase into glucose and absorbed in the small intestine
D. It is found only in animal-derived foods such as dairy and eggs
Rationale: Soluble fibers form gels that blunt the glycemic response and bind bile acids, which
promotes cholesterol excretion. Insoluble fiber is the type that primarily increases stool bulk,
and no dietary fiber is digested by human enzymes or found in animal foods.
5. A 22-year-old reports bloating, gas, and watery diarrhea 30–60 minutes after drinking a
large glass of milk. Which recommendation is most appropriate?
A. Eliminate every dairy and calcium-containing food permanently
B. Rapidly increase milk intake until the symptoms stop appearing
C. Take vitamin C supplements to restore the body's lactase production
D. Try smaller servings of milk with meals, yogurt, or aged cheeses, or use lactase
enzyme products
Rationale: Symptoms indicate lactose intolerance from reduced lactase activity, and many
people tolerate small amounts, yogurt, and aged cheese. Complete avoidance risks inadequate
calcium, and vitamin C does not affect lactase.
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, 6. The glycemic index of a food is best defined as:
A. A measure of how much a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucose
compared with a reference food
B. The number of grams of carbohydrate contained in one serving of the food
C. The amount of dietary fiber the food provides per 100 kilocalories
D. The rate at which the food empties from the stomach into the intestine
Rationale: Glycemic index ranks carbohydrate foods by their postprandial blood glucose
response relative to glucose or white bread. It is not a measure of carbohydrate quantity, fiber
density, or gastric emptying, although these factors can influence the response.
7. Which hormone, released by the pancreatic beta cells, lowers blood glucose by
promoting uptake of glucose into muscle and adipose tissue?
A. Glucagon
B. Epinephrine
C. Cortisol
D. Insulin
Rationale: Insulin is released when blood glucose rises and stimulates cellular glucose uptake
and storage. Glucagon, epinephrine, and cortisol all act to raise blood glucose.
8. Using the RDA of 0.8 g/kg/day, how much protein does a healthy 70-kg adult need each
day?
A. 28 grams
B. 70 grams
C. 112 grams
D. 56 grams
Rationale: Multiply 70 kg by 0.8 g/kg to get 56 g/day. Using 0.4 g/kg gives 28 g, 1.0 g/kg
gives 70 g, and 1.6 g/kg gives 112 g, none of which reflects the RDA calculation.
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