BIOL 203 Final Exam Study Guide Fundamental Nutrition
Overview 2026 everything you need to know Concordia
University
Lesson 1: Assigned Readings:
What is Food? A re-framing of human nutrition, 2nd Edition. Chapter 1: The Essentials
Nutrition For Healthy Living : Chapter 1 The Basics of Nutrition
What is Food? A re-framing of human nutrition, 2nd Edition. Chapter
1: The Essentials
Preface Notes
, Food is invariably described as a substance that nourishes the body containing varying
amounts of:
➔ macronutrients (carbohydrates, lipids and proteins),
➔ micronutrients (vitamins and minerals),
➔ fibre,
➔ phytochemicals (e.g. antioxidants) and
➔ water.
Chapter 1 Notes
Essential Nutrients
Six Categories of Essential Nutrients
● Carbohydrates
● Lipids
● Protein
● Vitamines
● Minerals
● Water
Carbohydrates , Lipids, & Proteins = Energy yielding macronutrients
, ● They could be used as a source of energy and as macronutrients because they are required in large
amounts relative to the minuscule amounts of the micronutrients.
Vitamins & Minerals = the Non-Energy yielding micronutrients.
● They dont serve as fuel ans are required in small, even minuscule amounts.
● Water is the most important essential nutrient is a non-energy-yielding nutrient that is required in large
amounts.
Figure 1.1 List of all essential nutrients grouped by class.
Chapter 1: The Essentials - Nutrition Overview
Macronutrients
1. Carbohydrates & Proteins
○ Can be converted into lipids and stored for energy.
○ Fat: More energy-dense than carbs and proteins (double the energy per gram), ideal for
long-term energy storage in both animals and plants (e.g., olives, walnuts, avocados).
○
○ Essential Fatty Acids:
■ Omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and omega-6 (linoleic acid) must be obtained from the
diet as humans can't synthesize them.
■ Other animals/plants can synthesize these or don’t need them.
■ Used in conservation biology to track animal diets via fatty acid signatures (e.g.,
omega-7 fatty acids in polar bears indicate seal consumption).
2. Amino Acids & Proteins:
, ○ Essential Amino Acids: 9 must come from the diet (the body can’t make them).
○ Non-Essential Amino Acids: 11 can be synthesized by the body.
○ Protein Diversity: Essential for building functional proteins in the body. Lack of diversity in diet
can lead to insufficient essential amino acids.
○ Prehistoric Diets: Early agriculture (grains and fish) provided essential macronutrients, but
lacked micronutrients and had a shorter life expectancy compared to hunter-gatherers.
Micronutrients
1. Vitamins & Minerals:
○ Vitamins: Non-energy yielding, needed in small amounts. Crucial for cell function and
deficiency leads to diseases. Early farmers had notable vitamin deficiencies due to grain-heavy
diets.
○ Minerals: Major minerals (e.g., calcium in bones) and trace minerals (needed in small amounts).
○ Potassium & Magnesium: Important for body function, depletion can lead to life-threatening
situations.
○ Sodium & Blood Calcium: Vital for health, depletion can have serious consequences.
2. Micronutrient Deficiency:
○ Micronutrient deficiencies were common in early farming societies due to the lack of dietary
diversity.
Non-Essential Nutrients
1. Fibre:
○ Does not provide direct energy but interacts with gut microbes, influencing various organ
systems (e.g., nervous, circulatory).
○ Emerging Research: Fibre has gained attention due to its impact on gut health and overall
body function.
2. Phytochemicals:
○ Include pigments like carotenoids and flavonoids. Play roles in protecting tissues from damage
by free radicals.
Overview 2026 everything you need to know Concordia
University
Lesson 1: Assigned Readings:
What is Food? A re-framing of human nutrition, 2nd Edition. Chapter 1: The Essentials
Nutrition For Healthy Living : Chapter 1 The Basics of Nutrition
What is Food? A re-framing of human nutrition, 2nd Edition. Chapter
1: The Essentials
Preface Notes
, Food is invariably described as a substance that nourishes the body containing varying
amounts of:
➔ macronutrients (carbohydrates, lipids and proteins),
➔ micronutrients (vitamins and minerals),
➔ fibre,
➔ phytochemicals (e.g. antioxidants) and
➔ water.
Chapter 1 Notes
Essential Nutrients
Six Categories of Essential Nutrients
● Carbohydrates
● Lipids
● Protein
● Vitamines
● Minerals
● Water
Carbohydrates , Lipids, & Proteins = Energy yielding macronutrients
, ● They could be used as a source of energy and as macronutrients because they are required in large
amounts relative to the minuscule amounts of the micronutrients.
Vitamins & Minerals = the Non-Energy yielding micronutrients.
● They dont serve as fuel ans are required in small, even minuscule amounts.
● Water is the most important essential nutrient is a non-energy-yielding nutrient that is required in large
amounts.
Figure 1.1 List of all essential nutrients grouped by class.
Chapter 1: The Essentials - Nutrition Overview
Macronutrients
1. Carbohydrates & Proteins
○ Can be converted into lipids and stored for energy.
○ Fat: More energy-dense than carbs and proteins (double the energy per gram), ideal for
long-term energy storage in both animals and plants (e.g., olives, walnuts, avocados).
○
○ Essential Fatty Acids:
■ Omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and omega-6 (linoleic acid) must be obtained from the
diet as humans can't synthesize them.
■ Other animals/plants can synthesize these or don’t need them.
■ Used in conservation biology to track animal diets via fatty acid signatures (e.g.,
omega-7 fatty acids in polar bears indicate seal consumption).
2. Amino Acids & Proteins:
, ○ Essential Amino Acids: 9 must come from the diet (the body can’t make them).
○ Non-Essential Amino Acids: 11 can be synthesized by the body.
○ Protein Diversity: Essential for building functional proteins in the body. Lack of diversity in diet
can lead to insufficient essential amino acids.
○ Prehistoric Diets: Early agriculture (grains and fish) provided essential macronutrients, but
lacked micronutrients and had a shorter life expectancy compared to hunter-gatherers.
Micronutrients
1. Vitamins & Minerals:
○ Vitamins: Non-energy yielding, needed in small amounts. Crucial for cell function and
deficiency leads to diseases. Early farmers had notable vitamin deficiencies due to grain-heavy
diets.
○ Minerals: Major minerals (e.g., calcium in bones) and trace minerals (needed in small amounts).
○ Potassium & Magnesium: Important for body function, depletion can lead to life-threatening
situations.
○ Sodium & Blood Calcium: Vital for health, depletion can have serious consequences.
2. Micronutrient Deficiency:
○ Micronutrient deficiencies were common in early farming societies due to the lack of dietary
diversity.
Non-Essential Nutrients
1. Fibre:
○ Does not provide direct energy but interacts with gut microbes, influencing various organ
systems (e.g., nervous, circulatory).
○ Emerging Research: Fibre has gained attention due to its impact on gut health and overall
body function.
2. Phytochemicals:
○ Include pigments like carotenoids and flavonoids. Play roles in protecting tissues from damage
by free radicals.
