AASDN Exam Study Guide
Performance Domains - ANSWER 5 domains in Nutrition Specialist Certification:
Weight, Science of Nutrition, Nutrition Programs, Communication/Coaching Skills,
Nutrition Research, Professional and Legal Practices
Prokaryotic cell - ANSWER Cell without a nucleus
Eukaryotic cell - ANSWER Cell with a nucleus
Peristalsis - ANSWER Wavelike muscular contractions in the GI tract
Digestion - ANSWER Process of breaking down food into smallest components for
absorption
Mucosa - ANSWER Tissue layer in digestive tract producing digestive juices
Absorption - ANSWER Process of taking in nutrients from food
Villi - ANSWER Finger-like projections in the small intestine for absorption
Microvilli - ANSWER Microscopic projections on villi for nutrient absorption
Calories - ANSWER Unit of energy; obtained from energy nutrients
Digestive Juices - ANSWER Enzyme-containing fluids breaking down food into
absorbable compounds
Small Intestine Segments - ANSWER Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; specialized
for nutrient absorption
Vascular System - ANSWER Closed system of vessels for blood circulation
Capillaries - ANSWER Smallest blood vessels branching from arteries
Lymphatic System - ANSWER One-way route for lymph circulation, excluding red
blood cells
Anabolism - ANSWER Reactions combining smaller molecules into larger ones,
requiring energy
Catabolism - ANSWER Reactions breaking down large molecules into smaller ones,
releasing energy
Micronutrients - ANSWER Vitamins and minerals required in small amounts
Homeostasis - ANSWER Maintenance of constant internal conditions in the body
, Hormones - ANSWER Chemical messengers controlling metabolism
Compartmentalization - ANSWER Nutrients in different cell parts signal metabolic
changes
DRIs - ANSWER Average daily dietary intake levels meeting most individuals'
nutrition needs
Dietary Guidelines - ANSWER Recommendations for healthy eating based on
scientific evidence
MyPlate - ANSWER Visual tool illustrating a healthy plate for balanced nutrition
Healthy Eating Plate - ANSWER Nutrition guide based on scientific evidence, free
from commercial influence
Carbohydrate digestion - ANSWER The process of breaking down carbohydrates
into simple sugars like glucose for absorption and utilization by the body.
Absorption of simple sugars - ANSWER The process where monosaccharides are
absorbed into small intestinal cells, then transported to the liver via the bloodstream.
Five fates of glucose - ANSWER Once absorbed into the bloodstream, glucose can
be converted to glycogen, used for energy, turned into fatty acids, stored as glucose-
6-phosphate, or made into nucleotides.
Glycogen - ANSWER A highly branched polysaccharide made of glucose molecules,
serving as a form of energy storage in the liver and muscles.
Glucose homeostasis - ANSWER The balance of glucose levels in the blood
maintained by hormones like insulin and glucagon to ensure energy needs are met.
Insulin vs. noninsulin dependent cells - ANSWER Insulin-dependent cells respond to
insulin for glucose uptake, while non-insulin dependent cells like red blood cells and
brain cells do not rely on insulin for glucose utilization.
Glucose time curve - ANSWER Refers to the finite glycogen storage in the body and
the processes when glycogen stores are depleted.
Gluconeogenesis - ANSWER The process of synthesizing glucose from non-
carbohydrate sources like amino acids or glycerol, crucial for maintaining blood
glucose levels.
Ketosis - ANSWER A metabolic state where the liver converts fat into ketone bodies
like acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate, used as an alternative fuel source.
Absorption rate of simple sugars vs. complex carbohydrates - ANSWER Simple
sugars are absorbed quickly, while complex carbohydrates are absorbed slower in
the presence of other nutrients like fiber, fat, or protein.
Performance Domains - ANSWER 5 domains in Nutrition Specialist Certification:
Weight, Science of Nutrition, Nutrition Programs, Communication/Coaching Skills,
Nutrition Research, Professional and Legal Practices
Prokaryotic cell - ANSWER Cell without a nucleus
Eukaryotic cell - ANSWER Cell with a nucleus
Peristalsis - ANSWER Wavelike muscular contractions in the GI tract
Digestion - ANSWER Process of breaking down food into smallest components for
absorption
Mucosa - ANSWER Tissue layer in digestive tract producing digestive juices
Absorption - ANSWER Process of taking in nutrients from food
Villi - ANSWER Finger-like projections in the small intestine for absorption
Microvilli - ANSWER Microscopic projections on villi for nutrient absorption
Calories - ANSWER Unit of energy; obtained from energy nutrients
Digestive Juices - ANSWER Enzyme-containing fluids breaking down food into
absorbable compounds
Small Intestine Segments - ANSWER Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; specialized
for nutrient absorption
Vascular System - ANSWER Closed system of vessels for blood circulation
Capillaries - ANSWER Smallest blood vessels branching from arteries
Lymphatic System - ANSWER One-way route for lymph circulation, excluding red
blood cells
Anabolism - ANSWER Reactions combining smaller molecules into larger ones,
requiring energy
Catabolism - ANSWER Reactions breaking down large molecules into smaller ones,
releasing energy
Micronutrients - ANSWER Vitamins and minerals required in small amounts
Homeostasis - ANSWER Maintenance of constant internal conditions in the body
, Hormones - ANSWER Chemical messengers controlling metabolism
Compartmentalization - ANSWER Nutrients in different cell parts signal metabolic
changes
DRIs - ANSWER Average daily dietary intake levels meeting most individuals'
nutrition needs
Dietary Guidelines - ANSWER Recommendations for healthy eating based on
scientific evidence
MyPlate - ANSWER Visual tool illustrating a healthy plate for balanced nutrition
Healthy Eating Plate - ANSWER Nutrition guide based on scientific evidence, free
from commercial influence
Carbohydrate digestion - ANSWER The process of breaking down carbohydrates
into simple sugars like glucose for absorption and utilization by the body.
Absorption of simple sugars - ANSWER The process where monosaccharides are
absorbed into small intestinal cells, then transported to the liver via the bloodstream.
Five fates of glucose - ANSWER Once absorbed into the bloodstream, glucose can
be converted to glycogen, used for energy, turned into fatty acids, stored as glucose-
6-phosphate, or made into nucleotides.
Glycogen - ANSWER A highly branched polysaccharide made of glucose molecules,
serving as a form of energy storage in the liver and muscles.
Glucose homeostasis - ANSWER The balance of glucose levels in the blood
maintained by hormones like insulin and glucagon to ensure energy needs are met.
Insulin vs. noninsulin dependent cells - ANSWER Insulin-dependent cells respond to
insulin for glucose uptake, while non-insulin dependent cells like red blood cells and
brain cells do not rely on insulin for glucose utilization.
Glucose time curve - ANSWER Refers to the finite glycogen storage in the body and
the processes when glycogen stores are depleted.
Gluconeogenesis - ANSWER The process of synthesizing glucose from non-
carbohydrate sources like amino acids or glycerol, crucial for maintaining blood
glucose levels.
Ketosis - ANSWER A metabolic state where the liver converts fat into ketone bodies
like acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate, used as an alternative fuel source.
Absorption rate of simple sugars vs. complex carbohydrates - ANSWER Simple
sugars are absorbed quickly, while complex carbohydrates are absorbed slower in
the presence of other nutrients like fiber, fat, or protein.
