Question

Read the following statements and select the correct option. Statement 1 : Athletes, labourers doing heavy work and mountaineers should live on high- carbohydrate diets. Statement 2 : Cabohydrates need less respiratory oxygen for their oxidation than other foods. (a) Both statements 1 and 2 are correct and statement 2 is the correct explanation of statement 1 . (b) Both statements 1 and 2 are correct but statement 2 is not the correct explanation of statement 1 (c) Statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect. (d) Both statements 1 and 2 are incorrect.

Short answer

(a) Both statements 1 and 2 are correct and statement 2 is the correct explanation of statement 1.

Step-by-step solution

Verify Statement 1

To determine the truth of Statement 1, consider dietary needs of athletes, labourers doing heavy work, and mountaineers. These groups typically require a diet that supports high energy expenditure, which carbohydrates can provide efficiently as they are a quick source of energy. Therefore, Statement 1 is correct.

Verify Statement 2

Analyze the biological oxidation process of different nutrients. Carbohydrates generally require less oxygen for their metabolism compared to proteins and fats. This is because carbohydrates have a higher ratio of hydrogen to carbon, which makes them easier to oxidize. Hence, Statement 2 is also correct.

Determine the Relationship Between the Statements

To assess if Statement 2 is a correct explanation of Statement 1, link the requirement of less respiratory oxygen for carbohydrate oxidation to the high-energy needs of athletes, labourers, and mountaineers. Because carbohydrates need less oxygen for oxidation, they are suitable for providing energy in situations where oxygen can be limited, such as high altitudes for mountaineers. This explains why such individuals would benefit from high-carbohydrate diets. So, Statement 2 is the correct explanation of Statement 1.

Key concepts

High-Carbohydrate Diets

Athletes, heavy laborers, and mountaineers indeed have specialized dietary needs to maintain their strenuous levels of activity. High-carbohydrate diets are often recommended for those engaging in prolonged or high-intensity exercise because carbohydrates serve as a readily accessible source of energy.

Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose which is transported in the blood and used by cells to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of the cell. For activities demanding quick bursts of energy or sustained endurance, a high-carbohydrate diet can help maintain glycogen stores in the muscles and liver, preventing early fatigue.

It's advantageous for individuals like mountaineers, who may be exposed to oxygen-scarce environments, to rely on carbohydrates. Since they require less oxygen for metabolism, it helps maintain energy production under lower oxygen availability. Hence, consuming a diet rich in carbohydrates provides an effective strategy for meeting the energy demands of these physically demanding professions and activities.

Respiratory Oxygen in Metabolism

Respiratory oxygen plays a vital role in the metabolic process of producing energy. During aerobic metabolism, oxygen is used to oxidize substrates, primarily carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, to generate ATP.

In simple terms, the process of metabolism involves a series of chemical reactions that transform the energy stored in nutrients into a useable form. This energy release process depends on the presence of oxygen—a concept known as aerobic respiration. Without sufficient oxygen, cells must rely on less efficient anaerobic pathways, which can lead to rapid fatigue and the production of lactate.

For athletes and individuals performing heavy labor or at high altitudes, the efficient use of oxygen is crucial. They often perform at levels that require increased oxygen delivery to their muscles. Carbohydrates are the preferred energy source in these scenarios because they utilize oxygen more efficiently than fats or proteins do, allowing for sustained energy production.

Biological Oxidation of Nutrients

Biological oxidation refers to the metabolic processes where nutrients are broken down in the presence of oxygen to produce energy. Nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats undergo this process, but the ease and efficiency of their oxidation differ.

Carbohydrates have a high ratio of hydrogen-to-carbon, which means they are more readily oxidized than fats or proteins. The ease of oxidation for carbohydrates makes them an excellent energy source for high-intensity activity. During biological oxidation, electrons are transferred from nutrients to oxygen, creating water and releasing energy that the body converts into ATP.

Understanding the subtleties of these metabolic pathways is critical for athletes and those with demanding physical occupations. For instance, during strenuous physical activities, the quick and efficient biological oxidation of carbohydrates becomes especially beneficial. It offers a sustained energy delivery system that helps prevent early onset of fatigue.