Nutrition Sleuths: Decode What Fuels You

Test your nutrient knowledge, spot myths, and reason through real-world food science—perfect for sharp teens ready to think beyond labels.

  1. Which vitamin is essential for collagen synthesis and wound healing?
    1. Vitamin D
    2. Vitamin C
    3. Zinc
    4. Vitamin B12
  2. Which macronutrient yields the most ATP per gram during complete oxidation?
    1. Fat
    2. Carbohydrate
    3. Protein
    4. Alcohol
  3. Which mineral is the main extracellular ion controlling fluid balance and blood pressure?
    1. Potassium
    2. Sodium
    3. Calcium
    4. Chloride
  4. Which dietary component primarily lowers LDL cholesterol when increased in the diet?
    1. Trans fat
    2. Saturated fat
    3. Soluble fiber
    4. Simple sugars
  5. Which biochemical process converts excess dietary carbohydrates into stored fat in humans?
    1. Glycogenolysis
    2. De novo lipogenesis
    3. Beta-oxidation
    4. Gluconeogenesis
  6. Which nutrient deficiency causes pernicious anemia due to impaired intrinsic factor absorption?
    1. Iron
    2. Folate
    3. Vitamin B12
    4. Vitamin C
  7. Which fatty acid configuration increases cell membrane fluidity at low temperatures?
    1. Trans-unsaturated
    2. Cis-unsaturated
    3. Saturated
    4. Polyphosphate

Answers and explanations

  1. Question: Which vitamin is essential for collagen synthesis and wound healing?
    Answer: Vitamin C
    Explanation: Vitamin C is a cofactor for enzymes that form collagen; without it connective tissue weakens. Many think vitamin D or zinc help healing, but they play different roles.
  2. Question: Which macronutrient yields the most ATP per gram during complete oxidation?
    Answer: Fat
    Explanation: Fats provide ~9 kcal/g because they are highly reduced and energy-dense; carbs and proteins give ~4 kcal/g each, so they're lower energy per gram.
  3. Question: Which mineral is the main extracellular ion controlling fluid balance and blood pressure?
    Answer: Sodium
    Explanation: Sodium largely determines extracellular osmolarity and influences blood volume; potassium acts intracellularly, so mixing them up is a common mistake.
  4. Question: Which dietary component primarily lowers LDL cholesterol when increased in the diet?
    Answer: Soluble fiber
    Explanation: Soluble fiber binds bile acids and reduces LDL; people often assume all fiber works the same, but insoluble fiber affects transit time more than cholesterol.
  5. Question: Which biochemical process converts excess dietary carbohydrates into stored fat in humans?
    Answer: De novo lipogenesis
    Explanation: De novo lipogenesis synthesizes fatty acids from carbs when intake exceeds storage and glycogen capacity; many think carbs are directly stored as fat, but conversion is metabolic.
  6. Question: Which nutrient deficiency causes pernicious anemia due to impaired intrinsic factor absorption?
    Answer: Vitamin B12
    Explanation: B12 deficiency from intrinsic factor loss causes megaloblastic anemia and neurologic symptoms; folate deficiency can mimic blood findings but not the neurologic damage.
  7. Question: Which fatty acid configuration increases cell membrane fluidity at low temperatures?
    Answer: Cis-unsaturated
    Explanation: Cis double bonds create kinks that prevent tight packing, keeping membranes fluid; trans fats pack more tightly and reduce fluidity despite being unsaturated.