Nutrients Cards

An enzyme is usually a protein that can initiate, facilitate or speed up a reaction. Enzymes have a variety of functions in the body, including digesting food, transmitting nerve impulses and making our muscles work.

Any of a class of digestive enzymes, present in saliva, that break down complex carbohydrates such as starch, into simpler sugars such as glucose.

Large and complicated reddish-brown glandular organ located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity; secretes bile and functions in metabolism of protein and carbohydrate and fat; synthesizes substances involved in the clotting of the blood; synthesizes vitamin A; detoxifies poisonous substances and breaks down worn-out erythrocytes.

A nutrient is a substance that provides energy and releases chemicals that living things need to grow, stay alive and reproduce.

The epiglottis is the flap of cartilage lying behind the tongue and in front of the entrance to the larynx. At rest, the epiglottis is upright and allows air to pass through the larynx and into the rest of the respiratory system. During swallowing, it folds back to cover the entrance to the larynx, preventing food and drink from entering the windpipe.

Proteins are organic compounds made of amino acids arranged in a linear chain and folded into a globular form.

Fiber is a virtually indigestible substance that is found mainly in the outer layers of plants. Fiber is a special type of carbohydrate that passes through the human digestive system virtually unchanged, without being broken down into nutrients.

Mainly sugars and starches, together constituting one of the three principal types of nutrients used as energy sources (calories) by the body. Carbohydrates can also be defined chemically as neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

Glucose, fructose, galactose

Cakes, chocolate, biscuits

Pasta, potatoes, wholegrain cereal

In vertebrates the gallbladder is a small organ that aids digestion and stores bile produced by the liver.

Molars, like premolars, are used to grind food. They are shaped much like premolars but are larger. The various molars normally have three to five cusps and two or three roots.

Premolars are used to crush and grind food. They have a broad, lumpy top instead of a sharp biting edge. The small surface lumps are called cusps. The cusps enable the teeth to mash pieces of food.

Canines are used with the incisors to bite into food. They are also used to tear off pieces of food.They have a sharp, pointed edge and one root.

Incisors are the chief biting teeth. They have a sharp, straight cutting edge. In most cases, incisors have one root. The central incisors of the lower jaw are the smallest permanent teeth.

Enamel overlies the dentin in the crown of the tooth. It forms the outermost covering of the crown. Enamel is the hardest tissue in the body. It enables a tooth to withstand the pressure placed on it during chewing. Enamel consists of mineral salts and a small amount of water. Enamel is white but transparent. The yellow color of the dentin shows through the enamel, and so most teeth appear slightly yellowish.

Dentin is a hard, yellow substance that surrounds the pulp. It makes up most of a tooth. Dentin is harder than bone. It consists mainly of mineral salts and water but also has some living cells.

Pulp is the innermost layer of a tooth. It consists of connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. The blood vessels nourish the tooth. The nerves transmit sensations of pain to the brain.