Trivia Flashcards

The glycemic index (GI) measures a food's effect on blood glucose relative to which reference food?

Answer: White bread or pure glucose

The glycemic index is standardized against pure glucose (GI = 100) or white bread (GI = 100 in some scales) to compare blood glucose responses.

Which organ is the primary site of glycogen storage that serves as a blood-glucose buffer for the rest of the body?

Answer: Liver

The liver stores glycogen that can be broken down and released as glucose into the bloodstream to maintain blood glucose levels between meals.

Scurvy results from a deficiency of which nutrient that is essential for collagen synthesis?

Answer: Vitamin C

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is required for hydroxylation of proline and lysine in collagen; deficiency leads to fragile collagen and scurvy.

Which type of dietary fiber has been most consistently shown to lower LDL cholesterol levels?

Answer: Soluble fiber

Soluble fiber (e.g., beta-glucan in oats, pectin in fruits) binds bile acids in the gut, promoting their excretion and lowering LDL cholesterol.

The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) category that represents the average daily intake sufficient to meet the needs of half the healthy population is called the:

Answer: Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)

The EAR is the intake estimated to meet the nutrient requirement of 50% of healthy individuals in a specific age and sex group.

Which amino acid is classified as conditionally essential because it becomes essential during periods of rapid growth, illness, or stress?

Answer: Glutamine

Glutamine is normally synthesized in adequate amounts but becomes conditionally essential during trauma, surgery, or serious illness when demand outpaces synthesis.

Iron absorption is significantly enhanced when consumed with which of the following?

Answer: Vitamin C from citrus

Vitamin C converts ferric iron (Fe3+) to ferrous iron (Fe2+), which is more soluble and better absorbed in the small intestine.