Carbohydrates  We know CARBS as sugars and starches.  They are found in bread, fruits, vegetables, pasta, rice, potatoes, candy…

Carbohydrates  Carbohydrates are made of long chains of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen  Carbo = Carbon  Hydrate = Hydrogen + Oxygen

Uses for Carbohydrates In plants  Carbohydrates are created by photosynthesis  They are stored as the body of the plant (that is why when we eat fruits and vegetables, we get carbohydrates) In animals  Carbohydrates are broken down through cellular respiration  They are used as FUEL in the cell.

Proteins  Proteins are found in meat, milk, fish, and beans

Proteins PROTEINPOLYPEPTIDEAMINO ACID

Proteins  Proteins are made up of chains of POLYPEPTIDE CHAINS  Polypeptides are made up of AMINO ACIDS  Amino acids are molecules made up of ATOMS

Uses for Proteins  Proteins are essential in keeping life processes running and have a variety of purposes.  Structural proteins make up your skin and hair  Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen in the blood  Antigens are proteins and help fight disease and infection  Other proteins transmit chemical messages and manage chemical reactions.

Lipids  Lipids are what we call know as FATS  They are OILY and WAXY and are INSOLUABLE in water  Lipids are found in fried foods, potato chips, meat, donuts

Lipids  Lipids have hydrophilic and hydrophobic ends.  Hydro = Water  Philic = Loves  Phobic = Fears  Hydrophilic = Loves Water  Hydrophobic = Fears Water

Uses for Lipids  Lipids make up the CELL MEMBRANE by pairing up to form a lipid bi-layer with hydrophobic ends on the inside and hydrophilic ends on the outside.  Lipids are also used as HORMONES and STEROIDS in the body.

Nucleic Acids  Nuclei Acids are made of NUCLEOTIDES  Nucleotides are molecules made up up phosphate, sugar, and nitrogen.  Nucleic acids are found in foods with high protein content.  They are NOT found on a nutritional label!

Nucleic Acids  Nucleic Acids carry GENETIC INFORMATION  They are the building blocks of DNA and RNA!  In the double helix, nucleic acids are the RUNGS of the latter.

Vitamins and Minerals  Vitamins are ORGANIC substances that are needed by your body in tiny amounts to carry out important tasks. Vitamins come from plants and animals.  Minerals are INORGANIC substances that are needed by your body in tiny amounts to carry out important tasks. Minerals come from the Earth or water.

Examples  Vitamin A is needed for vision  Vitamin C is needed for healthy skin  Calcium is needed for strong bones  Iron is essential for carrying oxygen in the blood

Employment Opportunity: NUTRITIONIST What does a nutritionist do?  Nutritionists are specialists of nutrition. Some nutritionists do research while others help people who have nutritional deficiencies and eating disorders. Nutritionist can work for schools, hospitals, or nursing homes to supervising meal planning to ensure that nutritional requirements are met. At a hospital, a nutritionist might work with cancer patients to help them fight disease with proper nutrition.  A nutritionist who helps people lose weight is called a Dietician. How do you become a nutritionist/dietician?  Graduate from high school  Talk to a nutritionist or dietician about what the work is like.  Find an internship with an existing nutritionist at a community center or nursing home.  Get an Associates degree or BS  There are many programs in Denver that offer Certificates (ex. NTI or Metro)  An entry level position pays $38,000 a year.