Nature of science
Falsification of theories with one theory being superseded by another—scurvy was thought to be specific to humans, because attempts to induce the symptoms in laboratory rats and mice were entirely unsuccessful. (1.9)
Understandings:
Essential nutrients cannot be synthesized by the body, therefore they have to be included in the diet.
Dietary minerals are essential chemical elements.
Vitamins are chemically diverse carbon compounds that cannot be synthesized by the body.
Some fatty acids and some amino acids are essential.
Lack of essential amino acids affects the production of proteins.
Malnutrition may be caused by a deficiency, imbalance or excess of nutrients in the diet.
Appetite is controlled by a centre in the hypothalamus.
Overweight individuals are more likely to suffer hypertension and type II diabetes.
Starvation can lead to breakdown of body tissue.
Applications and skills:
Application: Production of ascorbic acid by some mammals, but not others that need a dietary supply.
Application: Cause and treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU).
Application: Lack of Vitamin D or calcium can affect bone mineralization and cause rickets or osteomalacia.
Application: Breakdown of heart muscle due to anorexia.
Application: Cholesterol in blood as an indicator of the risk of coronary heart disease.
Skill: Determination of the energy content of food by combustion.
Skill: Use of databases of nutritional content of foods and software to calculate intakes of essential nutrients from a daily diet.
Watch the short video about Josh who is trying to change his diet.
Imagine a day in the life of Josh. What does he eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
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How long has Josh been eating just Pizza?
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Why does Josh want to change what he is eating?
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Why would a doctor say that Josh's Pizza only diet is unhealthy?
Malnutrition can be caused by too little or too much of a nutrient.
What is it missing, what is too much?
Spin the plate and read about 'Hidden hunger'. This is when people get enough food, but their food is missing some essential nutrient, like a vitamin or mineral.
Click on the link: http://www.spintheplate.ca