A TASTE FOR TROUBLE A Case Study of Nutritional Health as an introduction to Macromolecules for High School Biology Classes

Nutrition Labels In the early 13th century, the king of England proclaimed the first food regulatory law, the Assize of Bread, which prohibited bakers from mixing ground peas and beans into bread dough.

First Food Label 1990 Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) is passed. It requires all packaged foods to bear nutrition labeling and all health claims for foods to be consistent with terms defined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

New laws continue to be passed to further educate and inform consumers about the foods they buy.

For Example: 2004 Passage of the Food Allergy Labeling and Consumer Protection Act. Requires labeling of any food that contains one or more of: peanuts, soybeans, cow’s milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, and wheat.

FDA Food Labels Have the Same Format

Fast Fact Severely obese children aged 6-10 are now dying from heart attacks caused by their weight. Fast Fact from Healthtrek.org a program of Group Health Community Foundation

Some manufacturers have implemented their own food information labels misleading customers into thinking they are buying a nutritious product.

Macromolecules 101

11 Carbon Bonding

12 Large Carbon Molecules Monomer: small, simple Carbon molecule –Building blocks –6 carbon rings Polymer: repeated, linked monomers Macromolecule: large polymer –Ex: carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids, proteins.

13 Dehydration & Hydrolysis Dehydration: water molecule is released when a monomer bonds to another monomer (or polymer) When building bonds Also called condensation reactions Hydrolysis: water molecules are used to break down a polymer When breaking bonds Energy is released when breaking bonds

14 Dehydration Each Carbon in monomers have 4 bonds already (stable) –What must be done to bond to another carbon monomer? Break bonds to make bonds Lose a water molecule

15 Macromolecules Formed via dehydration reactions Monomers bond together form polymers Monomers bonded to polymers to form macromolecules 4 types: –Carbohydrates –Proteins –Lipids –Nucleic Acids

16 Carbohydrates Composed of: C, H, O Function: Source of energy & structural material for organisms Structure: basic ring structure –Can exist as monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides Monomer of a carbohydrate is a monosaccharide.

17 Proteins Composed of: C, H, O, N Function: enzymes, build muscle, hair, horns, and skin Structure: Central carbon Carboxyl group Amine group Hydrogen R group Monomer of a protein is an amino acid –20 different Amino Acids

18 Proteins R group –Think of it as the “Rest” of the molecule handing off the amino acid “Backbone” Influences the characteristics and chemical reaction of molecules that they compose –Create the variety among amino acids Ex: -OH (hydroxyl) group makes the molecule polar

19 Lipids Composed of: C, H, O Function: storage of energy, protection (waxy coating), steroids Structure: –Carboxyl (COOH) (polar head) –Long carbon chain (nonpolar tail) Monomer of a lipid is a fatty acid C-C and C-H bonds are high energy –Lipids store more energy than other organic molecules

20 Nucleic Acids Composed of: C, N, P, O Function: store & transfer information, direct cell activities, manufacture proteins Structure: Phosphate Group Carbon (Sugar) Nitrogenous base Monomer of a nucleic acid is a nucleotide

Using Everyday Items to Estimate Portion Size Woman's fist or baseball -serving of vegetables or fruit is about the size of your fist Rounded handful - about one half cup cooked or raw veggies or cut fruit, a piece of fruit, or ½ cup of cooked rice or pasta - this is a good measure for a snack serving, such as chips or pretzels

Using Everyday Items to Estimate Portion Size Deck of cards - a serving of meat, fish or poultry or the palm of your hand (don't count your fingers!) - for example, one chicken breast, ¼ pound hamburger patty or a medium pork chop Golf ball or large egg - one quarter cup of dried fruit or nuts Tennis ball - about one half cup of ice cream,

Using Everyday Items to Estimate Portion Size Computer mouse - about the size of a small baked potato Compact disc - about the size of one serving of pancake or small waffle Thumb tip - about one teaspoon of peanut butter Six dice - a serving of cheese Check book - a serving of fish (approximately 3 oz.)" le.aspx?articleID=52