Full Topic 3 - IB SEHS Exam 2025
Questions and Answers
List the macronutrients - ANSWER✔✔-Fat(lipid), carbohydrate, protein, and water
Function of carbohydrates - ANSWER✔✔-Act as metabolic fuels and energy stores -
especially during intense and prolonged periods of exercise
Function of fats (lipids) - ANSWER✔✔-Important source of energy in recovery periods,
physically protects vital organs, controls body temperature, assists in hormone
synthesis, cell membranes and transports fat-soluble vitamins
Function of proteins - ANSWER✔✔-Energy source, (1) structural (muscles, bones, skin,
cells) types, (2) transport/communication types (neurotransmitters, etc.), (3) protective
types (antibodies, mucus), and (4) enzymatic types (digestion, gas transport)
Function of water - ANSWER✔✔-Medium for biochemical reactions, transports
nutrients/metabolites/waste/hormones/gases, thermoregulation, excretion, cell-cell
and cell-environment communication, lubrication of joints and other surfaces
List the micronutrients - ANSWER✔✔-Vitamins, minerals, trace elements
,Function of vitamins - ANSWER✔✔-Regulate energy release, co-factors in various
chemical reactions
Function of minerals and trace elements - ANSWER✔✔-Involved in processes for
maintaining bone and blood health, release of energy, muscle function, maintenance of
cellular fluid balance
Examples of minerals or trace elements needed by the human body - ANSWER✔✔-Ca,
Cl, Mg, Na, K, P, Cu, Cr, Fe, I, F, Zn, Se, Mn, Mb
State the chemical composition of a glucose molecule - ANSWER✔✔-Carbon, hydrogen,
and oxygen (C6H12O6)
Identify a glucose molecule - ANSWER✔✔-
Explain how glucose molecules can combine to form disaccharides - ANSWER✔✔-
Condensation reactions remove a water molecule to combine the glucose molecules
Explain how glucose molecules can combine to form polysaccharides - ANSWER✔✔-
Multiple monosaccharides can be linked to a disaccharide to form a polysaccharide
(condensation reactions)
State the composition of triacylglycerol - ANSWER✔✔-Is an ester composed of a
glycerol bound to three fatty acids
, Distinguish between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids - ANSWER✔✔-Saturated: no
double or triple bonds between carbons;
unsaturated: 1 or more double or triple bonds in the fatty acid chain
What is the origin of saturated fats? - ANSWER✔✔-Animal sources: meat, poultry, full-
fat dairy, tropical oils (palm and coconut)
What is the origin of unsaturated fats? - ANSWER✔✔-Plant-based foods: olive oil,
olives, avocado, peanuts, cashew nuts, canola oil, seed, sunflower oil, rapeseed
State the chemical composition of a protein molecule - ANSWER✔✔-Consists of carbon,
hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen
Distinguish between an essential and a non-essential amino acid - ANSWER✔✔-
Essential: can't be synthesized from the human body, must be obtained from diet
non-essential: can be synthesized by the human body
Describe the current recommendations for a healthy balanced diet - ANSWER✔✔-
Carbs: 50% of diet
Fiber: 25-30 grams (6-8 soluble)
Water: 64 oz daily
Protein: depends on age, gender, and daily activity, anywhere from 80-100 g
Fats: 20-30% of our total calorie intake
Questions and Answers
List the macronutrients - ANSWER✔✔-Fat(lipid), carbohydrate, protein, and water
Function of carbohydrates - ANSWER✔✔-Act as metabolic fuels and energy stores -
especially during intense and prolonged periods of exercise
Function of fats (lipids) - ANSWER✔✔-Important source of energy in recovery periods,
physically protects vital organs, controls body temperature, assists in hormone
synthesis, cell membranes and transports fat-soluble vitamins
Function of proteins - ANSWER✔✔-Energy source, (1) structural (muscles, bones, skin,
cells) types, (2) transport/communication types (neurotransmitters, etc.), (3) protective
types (antibodies, mucus), and (4) enzymatic types (digestion, gas transport)
Function of water - ANSWER✔✔-Medium for biochemical reactions, transports
nutrients/metabolites/waste/hormones/gases, thermoregulation, excretion, cell-cell
and cell-environment communication, lubrication of joints and other surfaces
List the micronutrients - ANSWER✔✔-Vitamins, minerals, trace elements
,Function of vitamins - ANSWER✔✔-Regulate energy release, co-factors in various
chemical reactions
Function of minerals and trace elements - ANSWER✔✔-Involved in processes for
maintaining bone and blood health, release of energy, muscle function, maintenance of
cellular fluid balance
Examples of minerals or trace elements needed by the human body - ANSWER✔✔-Ca,
Cl, Mg, Na, K, P, Cu, Cr, Fe, I, F, Zn, Se, Mn, Mb
State the chemical composition of a glucose molecule - ANSWER✔✔-Carbon, hydrogen,
and oxygen (C6H12O6)
Identify a glucose molecule - ANSWER✔✔-
Explain how glucose molecules can combine to form disaccharides - ANSWER✔✔-
Condensation reactions remove a water molecule to combine the glucose molecules
Explain how glucose molecules can combine to form polysaccharides - ANSWER✔✔-
Multiple monosaccharides can be linked to a disaccharide to form a polysaccharide
(condensation reactions)
State the composition of triacylglycerol - ANSWER✔✔-Is an ester composed of a
glycerol bound to three fatty acids
, Distinguish between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids - ANSWER✔✔-Saturated: no
double or triple bonds between carbons;
unsaturated: 1 or more double or triple bonds in the fatty acid chain
What is the origin of saturated fats? - ANSWER✔✔-Animal sources: meat, poultry, full-
fat dairy, tropical oils (palm and coconut)
What is the origin of unsaturated fats? - ANSWER✔✔-Plant-based foods: olive oil,
olives, avocado, peanuts, cashew nuts, canola oil, seed, sunflower oil, rapeseed
State the chemical composition of a protein molecule - ANSWER✔✔-Consists of carbon,
hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen
Distinguish between an essential and a non-essential amino acid - ANSWER✔✔-
Essential: can't be synthesized from the human body, must be obtained from diet
non-essential: can be synthesized by the human body
Describe the current recommendations for a healthy balanced diet - ANSWER✔✔-
Carbs: 50% of diet
Fiber: 25-30 grams (6-8 soluble)
Water: 64 oz daily
Protein: depends on age, gender, and daily activity, anywhere from 80-100 g
Fats: 20-30% of our total calorie intake
