BIOL 203
BIOL 203 Final Exam Study Guide Questions with
Correct Answers 2026 Update
macronutrient kcal/g values
Carbohydrates: 4 kcal/g, Protein: 4 kcal/g, Fat: 9 kcal/g.
What are the benefits of soluble fiber?
Dissolves in water, slows digestion, helps lower blood cholesterol and glucose
levels.
What are the benefits of insoluble fiber?
Does not dissolve in water, promotes bowel regularity, prevents constipation and
diverticulosis.
What are major food sources of soluble fiber?
Oats, apples, legumes, citrus fruits, psyllium.
What are major food sources of insoluble fiber?
Whole wheat, brown rice, nuts, carrots, leafy greens.
What is the definition of intravascular fluid?
Fluid within blood vessels transporting nutrients, oxygen, and waste.
What is the definition of interstitial fluid?
Fluid surrounding body cells providing nutrients and removing waste.
What is the definition of intracellular fluid?
BIOL 203
,BIOL 203
Fluid within cells responsible for metabolic reactions.
What proportion of total body water is intracellular?
About two-thirds of total body water is intracellular.
What is the primary electrolyte in extracellular fluid?
Sodium.
What is the primary electrolyte in intracellular fluid?
Potassium.
What is the function of ferritin in iron regulation?
Protein that binds iron in intestinal cells, preventing absorption if stores are full.
What is the mechanism of iron excretion?
Iron is excreted through shedding of intestinal cells, feces, and small urinary loss.
How does the bioavailability of heme iron compare to non-heme iron?
Heme iron from animal sources is more bioavailable than non-heme iron from
plants.
How do phytates and oxalates impact mineral absorption?
They bind minerals in the digestive tract and reduce their bioavailability.
What effect does phosphoric acid in soft drinks have on calcium?
Interferes with calcium absorption, potentially weakening bones.
BIOL 203
,BIOL 203
What is the role of vitamin C in non-heme iron absorption?
Enhances absorption by reducing iron to a more bioavailable form.
Which population groups are at highest risk of iron deficiency?
Women of childbearing age, infants, adolescents, frequent blood donors.
What is the impact of menopause on bone density?
Estrogen levels drop, increasing bone resorption and decreasing bone density.
How does sodium affect calcium excretion?
High sodium intake increases urinary calcium losses.
What is the function of fluoride in tooth enamel?
Incorporates into tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.
What is the difference between enrichment and fortification?
Enrichment replaces lost nutrients after processing; fortification adds nutrients
not originally present.
How much niacin is produced from 60 mg of tryptophan?
1 mg of niacin is produced in the body.
What is the role of niacin in NAD/NADH function?
Niacin is required to form coenzymes NAD and NADP involved in energy
metabolism.
BIOL 203
, BIOL 203
What is the risk of high supplemental intake of vitamin B6?
It can cause nerve damage and sensory neuropathy.
Where is intrinsic factor secreted and what is its function?
It is secreted by stomach cells to enable absorption of vitamin B12 in the ileum.
What is the calcium content of milk per cup?
~300 mg of calcium per cup.
What is the calcium content of broccoli per cup?
~30 mg of bioavailable calcium per cup.
What is the calcium content of spinach per cup?
~14 mg of bioavailable calcium per cup.
During which months is sunlight insufficient for vitamin D synthesis in most of
Canada?
From October to March.
What is the risk of excess preformed vitamin A during pregnancy?
It increases the risk of birth defects.
What is the interaction between folate and vitamin B12?
Both are required for DNA synthesis; B12 deficiency traps folate in inactive form.
What is the difference between RDA and %DV?
RDA is a nutrient target; %DV is based on a 2000 kcal diet used for labeling.
BIOL 203
BIOL 203 Final Exam Study Guide Questions with
Correct Answers 2026 Update
macronutrient kcal/g values
Carbohydrates: 4 kcal/g, Protein: 4 kcal/g, Fat: 9 kcal/g.
What are the benefits of soluble fiber?
Dissolves in water, slows digestion, helps lower blood cholesterol and glucose
levels.
What are the benefits of insoluble fiber?
Does not dissolve in water, promotes bowel regularity, prevents constipation and
diverticulosis.
What are major food sources of soluble fiber?
Oats, apples, legumes, citrus fruits, psyllium.
What are major food sources of insoluble fiber?
Whole wheat, brown rice, nuts, carrots, leafy greens.
What is the definition of intravascular fluid?
Fluid within blood vessels transporting nutrients, oxygen, and waste.
What is the definition of interstitial fluid?
Fluid surrounding body cells providing nutrients and removing waste.
What is the definition of intracellular fluid?
BIOL 203
,BIOL 203
Fluid within cells responsible for metabolic reactions.
What proportion of total body water is intracellular?
About two-thirds of total body water is intracellular.
What is the primary electrolyte in extracellular fluid?
Sodium.
What is the primary electrolyte in intracellular fluid?
Potassium.
What is the function of ferritin in iron regulation?
Protein that binds iron in intestinal cells, preventing absorption if stores are full.
What is the mechanism of iron excretion?
Iron is excreted through shedding of intestinal cells, feces, and small urinary loss.
How does the bioavailability of heme iron compare to non-heme iron?
Heme iron from animal sources is more bioavailable than non-heme iron from
plants.
How do phytates and oxalates impact mineral absorption?
They bind minerals in the digestive tract and reduce their bioavailability.
What effect does phosphoric acid in soft drinks have on calcium?
Interferes with calcium absorption, potentially weakening bones.
BIOL 203
,BIOL 203
What is the role of vitamin C in non-heme iron absorption?
Enhances absorption by reducing iron to a more bioavailable form.
Which population groups are at highest risk of iron deficiency?
Women of childbearing age, infants, adolescents, frequent blood donors.
What is the impact of menopause on bone density?
Estrogen levels drop, increasing bone resorption and decreasing bone density.
How does sodium affect calcium excretion?
High sodium intake increases urinary calcium losses.
What is the function of fluoride in tooth enamel?
Incorporates into tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.
What is the difference between enrichment and fortification?
Enrichment replaces lost nutrients after processing; fortification adds nutrients
not originally present.
How much niacin is produced from 60 mg of tryptophan?
1 mg of niacin is produced in the body.
What is the role of niacin in NAD/NADH function?
Niacin is required to form coenzymes NAD and NADP involved in energy
metabolism.
BIOL 203
, BIOL 203
What is the risk of high supplemental intake of vitamin B6?
It can cause nerve damage and sensory neuropathy.
Where is intrinsic factor secreted and what is its function?
It is secreted by stomach cells to enable absorption of vitamin B12 in the ileum.
What is the calcium content of milk per cup?
~300 mg of calcium per cup.
What is the calcium content of broccoli per cup?
~30 mg of bioavailable calcium per cup.
What is the calcium content of spinach per cup?
~14 mg of bioavailable calcium per cup.
During which months is sunlight insufficient for vitamin D synthesis in most of
Canada?
From October to March.
What is the risk of excess preformed vitamin A during pregnancy?
It increases the risk of birth defects.
What is the interaction between folate and vitamin B12?
Both are required for DNA synthesis; B12 deficiency traps folate in inactive form.
What is the difference between RDA and %DV?
RDA is a nutrient target; %DV is based on a 2000 kcal diet used for labeling.
BIOL 203
