STUDY GUIDE FOR
GROPPER/SMITH’S ADVANCED
NUTRITION AND HUMAN
METABOLISM, 8TH EDITION
, Table of Contents
Introduction to the Study Guide........................................................................................................................ ..... iv
Study Questions for Chapter 1 – The Cell: A Microcosm of Life .........................................................................1
Example Answers for Chapter 1 ................................................................................................................2
Study Questions for Chapter 2 – The Digestive System: Mechanism for Nourishing the Body .....................5
Example Answers for Chapter 2 ................................................................................................................6
Study Questions for Chapters 3 & 5 – Carbohydrates & Lipids ..........................................................................9
Example Answers for Chapters 3 & 5......................................................................................................10
Study Questions for Chapter 6 – Protein...............................................................................................................14
Example Answers for Chapter 6 ..............................................................................................................15
Study Questions for Chapter 7 – Integration and Regulation of Metabolism and the Impact of
Exercise and Sport ....................................................................................................................................................19
Example Answers for Chapter 7 ..............................................................................................................20
Study Questions for Chapters 9 & 10 – Water‐Soluble Vitamins & Fat‐Soluble Vitamins .............................22
Example Answers for Chapters 9 & 10....................................................................................................23
Study Questions for Chapters 11 & 12 – Macrominerals & Microminerals......................................................28
Example Answers for Chapters 11 & 12..................................................................................................29
iii
, Study Questions for Chapter 1 – The Cell: A Microcosm of Life
1. Name the various parts of the cell and write a brief (1‐3 sentence) definition of each.
2. How do we regulate the function of proteins? Name the three regulation mechanisms and describe,
in detail, how they work. How do macronutrients and micronutrients regulate gene expression and
thus, protein function (in general; you don’t need to know specific examples at this point)?
3. What is the difference between adaptive and constitutive expression of genes? What is meant by
apoprotein vs. holoprotein? What is the importance of knowing these definitions?
4. Describe enzyme kinetics and any relevant terms. How are the inherent kinetic characteristics of an
enzyme related to regulation of a metabolic pathway/ process?
5. Describe the following concepts/ terms and their interrelationship with each other: homeostasis,
turnover, differentiation, and apoptosis.
1
, Example Answers for Chapter 1
1. Mitochondrion – is an organelle in the cytosol where most of the energy (ATP) is generated from the
oxidation of macronutrients. This is accomplished by the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain
(i.e., oxidative phosphorylation). It was important for you to state that this is an aerobic (requires
oxygen) process.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum – a cytosolic organelle/membrane, in close proximity to the nucleus,
where the mRNA can leave the nucleus, go the ER, and be translated into protein by the ribosomes
(“rough”) that are attached to it.
Phospholipid Bilayer (plasma membrane) – formed by the alignment of phospholipids to form a cell
membrane. It also contains cholesterol and proteins, the latter of which can function as transporters
because the lipid bilayer is impermeable to water‐soluble (polar) compounds.
Nucleus – organelle in the cell that contains DNA (genes, genome). Thus, transcription occurs in the
nucleus, after which the mRNA that results must move to the cytosol/RER for translation.
Cytosol – the “interior” plasma of the cell; things are not “free‐floating,” however, as the
microtrabecular lattice keeps many organelles in place.
Lysosomes/ Peroxisomes – contain oxidative and digestive enzymes to degrade cell components/
waste.
Textbook reference: pages 2‐12
2. Mechanism 1:
Induction – inducing a gene to be expressed. The transcription and/or translation of the corresponding
gene/mRNA is increased. The result is that the abundance of a protein is increased. Remember that
induction means increasing abundance by definition, so the abundance of the protein in question will
always be increased, not decreased through induction. The protein can be an enzyme, a transporter,
etc. Note that induction is slower than posttranslational modification or allosteric regulation.
Mechanism 2:
Posttranslational or covalent modification (PTM) – no change in the abundance of a protein. A
preexisting (posttranslational) protein is covalently modified and thus made either active or inactive.
Covalently modifying a protein involves breaking or forming covalent bonds. Phosphorylation,
carboxylation, glycosylation, or zymogen activation by breaking a peptide bond are all examples of
posttranslational or covalent modification. The protein can be an enzyme, a transporter, etc.
Mechanism 3:
Allosteric regulation – inhibiting or stimulating the activity of an enzyme. Instead of being
covalently modified, the protein is bound to something else—termed a modulator in your text—and
2
GROPPER/SMITH’S ADVANCED
NUTRITION AND HUMAN
METABOLISM, 8TH EDITION
, Table of Contents
Introduction to the Study Guide........................................................................................................................ ..... iv
Study Questions for Chapter 1 – The Cell: A Microcosm of Life .........................................................................1
Example Answers for Chapter 1 ................................................................................................................2
Study Questions for Chapter 2 – The Digestive System: Mechanism for Nourishing the Body .....................5
Example Answers for Chapter 2 ................................................................................................................6
Study Questions for Chapters 3 & 5 – Carbohydrates & Lipids ..........................................................................9
Example Answers for Chapters 3 & 5......................................................................................................10
Study Questions for Chapter 6 – Protein...............................................................................................................14
Example Answers for Chapter 6 ..............................................................................................................15
Study Questions for Chapter 7 – Integration and Regulation of Metabolism and the Impact of
Exercise and Sport ....................................................................................................................................................19
Example Answers for Chapter 7 ..............................................................................................................20
Study Questions for Chapters 9 & 10 – Water‐Soluble Vitamins & Fat‐Soluble Vitamins .............................22
Example Answers for Chapters 9 & 10....................................................................................................23
Study Questions for Chapters 11 & 12 – Macrominerals & Microminerals......................................................28
Example Answers for Chapters 11 & 12..................................................................................................29
iii
, Study Questions for Chapter 1 – The Cell: A Microcosm of Life
1. Name the various parts of the cell and write a brief (1‐3 sentence) definition of each.
2. How do we regulate the function of proteins? Name the three regulation mechanisms and describe,
in detail, how they work. How do macronutrients and micronutrients regulate gene expression and
thus, protein function (in general; you don’t need to know specific examples at this point)?
3. What is the difference between adaptive and constitutive expression of genes? What is meant by
apoprotein vs. holoprotein? What is the importance of knowing these definitions?
4. Describe enzyme kinetics and any relevant terms. How are the inherent kinetic characteristics of an
enzyme related to regulation of a metabolic pathway/ process?
5. Describe the following concepts/ terms and their interrelationship with each other: homeostasis,
turnover, differentiation, and apoptosis.
1
, Example Answers for Chapter 1
1. Mitochondrion – is an organelle in the cytosol where most of the energy (ATP) is generated from the
oxidation of macronutrients. This is accomplished by the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain
(i.e., oxidative phosphorylation). It was important for you to state that this is an aerobic (requires
oxygen) process.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum – a cytosolic organelle/membrane, in close proximity to the nucleus,
where the mRNA can leave the nucleus, go the ER, and be translated into protein by the ribosomes
(“rough”) that are attached to it.
Phospholipid Bilayer (plasma membrane) – formed by the alignment of phospholipids to form a cell
membrane. It also contains cholesterol and proteins, the latter of which can function as transporters
because the lipid bilayer is impermeable to water‐soluble (polar) compounds.
Nucleus – organelle in the cell that contains DNA (genes, genome). Thus, transcription occurs in the
nucleus, after which the mRNA that results must move to the cytosol/RER for translation.
Cytosol – the “interior” plasma of the cell; things are not “free‐floating,” however, as the
microtrabecular lattice keeps many organelles in place.
Lysosomes/ Peroxisomes – contain oxidative and digestive enzymes to degrade cell components/
waste.
Textbook reference: pages 2‐12
2. Mechanism 1:
Induction – inducing a gene to be expressed. The transcription and/or translation of the corresponding
gene/mRNA is increased. The result is that the abundance of a protein is increased. Remember that
induction means increasing abundance by definition, so the abundance of the protein in question will
always be increased, not decreased through induction. The protein can be an enzyme, a transporter,
etc. Note that induction is slower than posttranslational modification or allosteric regulation.
Mechanism 2:
Posttranslational or covalent modification (PTM) – no change in the abundance of a protein. A
preexisting (posttranslational) protein is covalently modified and thus made either active or inactive.
Covalently modifying a protein involves breaking or forming covalent bonds. Phosphorylation,
carboxylation, glycosylation, or zymogen activation by breaking a peptide bond are all examples of
posttranslational or covalent modification. The protein can be an enzyme, a transporter, etc.
Mechanism 3:
Allosteric regulation – inhibiting or stimulating the activity of an enzyme. Instead of being
covalently modified, the protein is bound to something else—termed a modulator in your text—and
2
