HOSA NUTRITION STUDY GUIDE 2026
COMPREHENSIVE DIETARY SCIENCE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ What is the function of calcium?
Answer: blood clotting, muscle contraction, nerve transmission,
hormone/enzyme secretion
◉ What percent of the global population has iron-deficiency
anemia?
Answer: 30%
◉ What is the function of iron?
Answer: It transports oxygen to the cells via hemoglobin, the protein
in red blood cells.
◉ What inhibits iron absorption?
Answer: Phytates (in whole grains and legumes), tannic acids (in
tea), calcium, fiber, and some spices
◉ What counts as a serving of fruit?
,Answer: 1/2 cup of fresh fruit, or 1/4 cup of dried fruit or 100%
fruit juice
◉ What counts as a serving of vegetables?
Answer: 1 cup of raw leafy veggies, or 1/2 cup of other veggies or
vegetable juice
◉ What foods should be combined to form complete proteins?
Answer: Whole grains and legumes (whole grains have methionine
and cysteine) or nuts/seeds and legumes
◉ What is the biggest source of antioxidants in the Standard
American Diet?
Answer: coffee (polyphenols)
◉ What are the essential fatty acids?
Answer: alpha-linoleic acid and linoleic acid
◉ What are the symptoms of scurvy?
Answer: appetite loss, bruising, muscle pain, bleeding gums or tooth
loss
◉ What are probiotics?
,Answer: Live bacteria in certain food or supplements
◉ What are prebiotics?
Answer: Nondigestible food ingredients that stimulate the growth
and activity of certain bacteria in the colon
◉ What is Tourrette Syndrome?
Answer: Characterized by tics (repetitive, involuntary behaviors
such as eye blinking or repetitive, jerky movements). Behavioral
problems such as hyperactivity and impulsivity.
◉ How many carbs per day will cause ketosis?
Answer: 20-100
◉ What body compartment is directly proportional to BMR?
Answer: lean body mass (cell mass)
◉ What is Basal Energy Expenditure (BEE)?
Answer: The energy required to carry out basic metabolic functions
◉ Which enzymes limit the amount of dietary protein absorbed?
Answer: hydrolytic
, ◉ What are the characteristics of kwashiorkor?
Answer: edema, depigmentation, fatty liver, hypoalbuminemia
◉ What is the protein equivalent of 1 g of nitrogen output?
Answer: 6.25 g
◉ Which amino acid is only essential for infants?
Answer: Arginine
◉ Does fructose flow up or down its concentration gradient?
Answer: down
◉ Which carbohydrates require active transport?
Answer: glucose and galactose. The transporter is Na+ linked.
◉ What does fiber do?
Answer: Increases the rate at which chyme moves through the
intestine, which is desirable.
◉ What does chyme consist of?
Answer: gastric juices and partially digested food
COMPREHENSIVE DIETARY SCIENCE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ What is the function of calcium?
Answer: blood clotting, muscle contraction, nerve transmission,
hormone/enzyme secretion
◉ What percent of the global population has iron-deficiency
anemia?
Answer: 30%
◉ What is the function of iron?
Answer: It transports oxygen to the cells via hemoglobin, the protein
in red blood cells.
◉ What inhibits iron absorption?
Answer: Phytates (in whole grains and legumes), tannic acids (in
tea), calcium, fiber, and some spices
◉ What counts as a serving of fruit?
,Answer: 1/2 cup of fresh fruit, or 1/4 cup of dried fruit or 100%
fruit juice
◉ What counts as a serving of vegetables?
Answer: 1 cup of raw leafy veggies, or 1/2 cup of other veggies or
vegetable juice
◉ What foods should be combined to form complete proteins?
Answer: Whole grains and legumes (whole grains have methionine
and cysteine) or nuts/seeds and legumes
◉ What is the biggest source of antioxidants in the Standard
American Diet?
Answer: coffee (polyphenols)
◉ What are the essential fatty acids?
Answer: alpha-linoleic acid and linoleic acid
◉ What are the symptoms of scurvy?
Answer: appetite loss, bruising, muscle pain, bleeding gums or tooth
loss
◉ What are probiotics?
,Answer: Live bacteria in certain food or supplements
◉ What are prebiotics?
Answer: Nondigestible food ingredients that stimulate the growth
and activity of certain bacteria in the colon
◉ What is Tourrette Syndrome?
Answer: Characterized by tics (repetitive, involuntary behaviors
such as eye blinking or repetitive, jerky movements). Behavioral
problems such as hyperactivity and impulsivity.
◉ How many carbs per day will cause ketosis?
Answer: 20-100
◉ What body compartment is directly proportional to BMR?
Answer: lean body mass (cell mass)
◉ What is Basal Energy Expenditure (BEE)?
Answer: The energy required to carry out basic metabolic functions
◉ Which enzymes limit the amount of dietary protein absorbed?
Answer: hydrolytic
, ◉ What are the characteristics of kwashiorkor?
Answer: edema, depigmentation, fatty liver, hypoalbuminemia
◉ What is the protein equivalent of 1 g of nitrogen output?
Answer: 6.25 g
◉ Which amino acid is only essential for infants?
Answer: Arginine
◉ Does fructose flow up or down its concentration gradient?
Answer: down
◉ Which carbohydrates require active transport?
Answer: glucose and galactose. The transporter is Na+ linked.
◉ What does fiber do?
Answer: Increases the rate at which chyme moves through the
intestine, which is desirable.
◉ What does chyme consist of?
Answer: gastric juices and partially digested food
