Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following nutrients serves as a major source of energy for the human body?
A
Proteins
B
Vitamins
C
Carbohydrates
D
Fats
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the role of nutrients in the human body. Proteins are primarily used for building and repairing tissues, enzymes, and hormones. Vitamins are essential for various biochemical processes but do not provide energy directly.
Step 2: Recognize that carbohydrates and fats are the primary sources of energy for the human body. Carbohydrates are the body's preferred energy source because they are quickly metabolized into glucose, which is used in cellular respiration.
Step 3: Learn the process of energy production. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which enters glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation to produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell.
Step 4: Compare the energy yield of carbohydrates and fats. While fats provide more energy per gram (9 kcal/g compared to 4 kcal/g for carbohydrates), carbohydrates are more readily accessible and are the first choice for energy during physical activity.
Step 5: Conclude that carbohydrates serve as the major source of energy for the human body due to their efficiency in being metabolized and their role in maintaining blood glucose levels.