Which minerals are the major electrolytes, and what roles do they have in the body?
Sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and chloride are examples of electrolytes—dissolved substances in blood and body fluids that carry electric charges. Sodium is the chief positively charged ion needed to maintain the volume of fluid outside cells; potassium is the chief positively charged ion inside the cells. Chloride is the major negatively charged ion in the fluids outside the cells, where it is found mostly in association with sodium. Phosphorus is the major negatively charged ion found inside cells. Electrolytes influence the distribution of fluids among the various body compartments. Specifically, when present in healthful amounts, electrolytes serve to keep the fluids inside and outside the cells in balance so that the cells can function properly and allow body fluids to bring cells the needed nutrients and remove waste products from the cells. With a normal diet, many factors in addition to the intake of sodium and chloride found in salt work together to keep the fluid volume fairly constant inside and outside of cells.
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Beta-carotene is a precursor of
A) retinol. B) ascorbic acid. C) zeaxanthin. D) alpha-tocopherol.
The two protein compartments in the body are:
a. essential and nonessential. b. dispensable and indispensable. c. free and bound. d. somatic and visceral.
Which of the following lifestyle choices is the primary cause of preventable cancer deaths in the United States?
A. Consuming alcohol B. Smoking cigarettes C. Exercising infrequently D. Eating fatty foods
A high school football player is eating enough protein foods in his diet to provide him with 2.5 grams per kg of his body weight. What type of benefit will he get from his high protein intake?
a. This exceeds the recommendation for his sport so he should consider trading carbohydrate for some of the protein. b. This exceeds the recommendation for his sport so he should consider trading fat for some of the protein. c. Although this exceeds the recommendation for his sport he will benefit from the additional protein as the body converts it to muscle mass. d. This is an extremely toxic level that may cause serious health problems. e. His body will adjust to the higher protein intake to require that amount on a regular basis.