READING

THE COMPARTMENTS OF THE BODY

The body has three compartments. The first of these consists of active
tissue, which is also known as cell mass. This does most of the chemical
work of the body.
The second compartment consists of supporting tissue. This is composed
of bone minerals, extracellular proteins, and the internal environment,
or the extracellular fluid in the blood and lymph.
The third compartment is the energy reserve. This consists of fat, which
lies round the principal internal organs and in adipose tissue. These
compartments cannot be separated by physical dissection, but it is
possible to measure them indirectly. This may be done using methods
such as the dilution technique.
The size of each compartment varies according to the age, sex and
health of the individual. In a healthy young man the total body weight is
divided approximately: 55% cell mass, 30% supporting tissue, and 15%
energy reserve. A healthy young woman has normally twice as much fat.
 Questions
Study the following statements carefully and decide whether they are true
or not true according to the information in the reading passage above.
 
a) The first compartment of the body consists of cell mass.
b) The second compartment of the body is composed of bone minerals.
c) The internal environment is composed of the extracellular fluid in the
blood and lymph.
d) The energy reserve is composed of adipose tissue and fat which lies
round the principal internal organs.
e) The compartments of the body are measurable.
f) The dilution technique is the only method of measuring the
compartments of the body.
g) The sum of the sizes of the compartments = the total body weight.
h) The energy reserve of a healthy woman is approximately 30% of her total
body weight.
 SOURCES OF ENERGY
 
The fuels of the body are carbohydrates, fats and proteins. These are taken in the
diet. They are found mainly in cereal grains, vegetable oils, meat, fish, and dairy
products.
Carbohydrates are the principal source of energy in most diets. They are absorbed
into the bloodstream in the form of glucose. Glucose not needed for immediate use is
converted into glycogen and stored in the liver. When the blood sugar concentration
goes down, the liver reconverts some of its stored glycogen into glucose.
Fats make up the second largest source of energy in most diets. They are stored in
adipose tissue and round the principal internal organs. If excess carbohydrate is taken
in, this can be converted into fat and stored. The stored fat is utilized when the liver is
empty of glycogen.
Proteins are essential for the growth and rebuilding of tissue, but they can also be
utilized a source of energy. In some diets, such as the diet of the Eskimo, they form
the main source of energy. Proteins are first broken down into amino acids. Then they
are absorbed into the blood and pass round the body. Amino acids not used by the
body are eventually excreted in the urine in the form of urea. Proteins, unlike
carbohydrates and facts, cannot be stored for future use.
 Questions
Study the following statements carefully and decide whether they are
true or not true according to the information in the reading passage
above.
 
a) The fuels of the body are taken in the diet.
b) Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are found only in cereal grains,
vegetable oils, meat, fish and dairy products.
c) Carbohydrates are stored in the liver as glycogen.
d) Fats are stored only round the principal internal organs.
e) Proteins are essential for growth and energy.
f) Proteins are the main source of energy in most diets.
g) Amino acids which are not absorbed into the blood are excreted in
the urine in the form of urea.
h) Carbohydrate and facts cannot be stored for future use.