Dental Hygienist Practice Test – Biochemistry and Nutrition

Olive oil is a type of lipid (fat) that consists of 9 kcal/g. Due to the structure of lipids, they produce more energy per gram than carbohydrates, protein, or alcohol.

Aspartame is made of phenylalanine, patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) should avoid using it. This is because their bodies are deficient in the enzyme which helps in breaking down phenylalanine.

Marasmus is a form of malnutrition where kilocalories and protein are deficient in the diet.

Intrinsic factor (glycoprotein) is necessary for the absorption of Vitamin B12.

Chronic iron deficiency is referred to as Plummer-Vinson syndrome. People with this condition experience problems with swallowing and suffer from fatigue. Iron supplementation is one of the treatments for patients.

Raisins are highly cariogenic as they are a retentive carbohydrate having the potential to drop the salivary pH to a cariogenic level.

Due to the slow dissolving process of the peppermint candy disk, this may drop the salivary pH for 40 minutes.

Xylitol can starve harmful bacteria in the mouth, reducing plaque – making it cariostatic in sufficient amounts.

Cholesterol only arises from animal sources. Margarine, however, comes from vegetable oils and therefore is not a source of cholesterol.

Pregnancy does not inhibit calcium absorption.

The animal form of vitamin A is known as retinol.

Vitamin C is not synthesized by the body

Ham and roast beef are excellent sources of B12. Animal products are best sources of this Vitamin.

Vitamin B6 aids the body in the conversion of tryptophan to niacin.

Vitamins D, E, K and A are all fat-soluble vitamins whereas, Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin.

Anabolism is a process which is best known as the synthesis of absorbed nutrients into more complex compounds.

If the product contains less than 0.5 grams (g) per serving, then the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows foods to be labeled as containing ‘zero’ trans fats.

The measuring of prothrombin time (PT) gives an important indication of Vitamin K levels in those individuals who are taking warfarin (Coumadin). For patients taking anticoagulants such as warfarin, blood clotting is affected. Vitamin K levels affect PT which may result in excessive or increased bleeding during treatment if not closely reviewed and monitored.

Vitamin D deficiency is not caused by Skin diseases. However, vitamin D deficiency may be caused by malabsorption, dietary insufficiency, kidney disease and sunscreen, since each of these may prevent the conversion of Vitamin D precursors to active vitamin D.

Deficiency in Iron can lead to brittle, or spoon shaped nails, cracked facial skin and pale lining of the eyes and gingiva.