Learning Outcomes in Listing:
i. Identify the sources of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
ii. Compare the energy values provided by carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
iii. Understand the distinct metabolic functions of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in the human body.
Summary
Students will investigate the three macronutrients essential to human health: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. They will learn about the various dietary sources of each and compare their respective contributions to energy production. The lesson will also highlight the unique roles these macronutrients play in metabolism and overall physiological function.
Summary of Lesson:
This lesson distinguishes among carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—the trio of macronutrients that supply the body with energy and serve numerous metabolic functions. Each macronutrient group comes from different food sources, has different energy values, and plays various roles in body processes.
i. Carbohydrates:
- Sources: Found in foods like bread, rice, pasta, fruits, and vegetables.
- Energy Values: Provide 4 kilocalories of energy per gram.
- Metabolic Functions: Serve as the body’s main source of fuel, are vital for brain function, and can be stored in the muscles and liver as glycogen for later use.
ii. Proteins:
- Sources: Derived from animal products like meat and dairy, as well as plant sources like beans, lentils, and nuts.
- Energy Values: Yield 4 kilocalories of energy per gram, but their primary role is not energy production.
- Metabolic Functions: Essential for growth and repair of tissues, making enzymes and hormones, and supporting immune function.
iii. Fats:
- Sources: Sourced from oils, butter, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds.
- Energy Values: Provide 9 kilocalories of energy per gram, the highest energy yield among the macronutrients.
- Metabolic Functions: Important for storing energy, insulating the body, protecting organs, and facilitating the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
List of Important Questions for Self-Study:
i. Why are carbohydrates considered the preferred source of energy for the body?
ii. In what ways are proteins utilized other than providing energy?
iii. What is the significance of fats in maintaining long-term energy storage?
iv. How can the balance of macronutrients in a diet affect overall health?
v. What happens to excess intake of each macronutrient in the body?
Important Terminologies Used in Lesson:
i. Macronutrients: Nutrients required in large amounts that provide the energy necessary to maintain body functions and carry out the activities of daily life.
ii. Metabolism: The chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life.
iii. Glycogen: A multibranched polysaccharide of glucose that serves as a form of energy storage in animals and fungi.
iv. Kilocalories: A unit of energy defined as the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius.
v. Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Vitamins that can be dissolved in fats and oils, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K.
