orage in the human body. The human anatomy is esigned to carry food reserves to ensure the body's rvival when food becomes scarce. However, in our m-conscious society, many people go to great lengths keep fat from accumulating on their bodies, sometimes th harmful effects. at is more efficient in storing energy than carbohydrates r several reasons. First, fat is a highly concentrated nergy source. Second, fat weighs less than the same ergy amount of carbohydrates. Third, fat is much more ficient to carry as an energy source because it does not old water as do carbohydrates. For example, an erage 70-kilogram human male normally has about 11 ograms of fat in his body. This fat represents enough

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
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### The Importance and Efficiency of Fat Storage in the Human Body

**Introduction**

Fat can be defined loosely as a source for energy storage in the human body. The human anatomy is designed to carry food reserves to ensure the body's survival when food becomes scarce. However, in our slim-conscious society, many people go to great lengths to keep fat from accumulating on their bodies, sometimes with harmful effects.

**The Efficiency of Fat as an Energy Source**

Fat is more efficient in storing energy than carbohydrates for several reasons:
1. **Highly Concentrated Energy Source**: Fat is a highly concentrated energy source.
2. **Lower Weight**: Fat weighs less than the same energy amount of carbohydrates.
3. **Water-free Storage**: Fat is much more efficient to carry as an energy source because it does not hold water as do carbohydrates.

For example, an average 70-kilogram human male normally has about 11 kilograms of fat in his body. This fat represents enough stored energy to keep him alive for a month without eating. The same amount of energy stored as starch would double his body weight.

**Comprehension Check**

Which view does the passage support?

- A. Fats lead to high levels of cholesterol.
- B. One heavy meal each day suffices for usual intake.
- C. Reserves of fat serve no purpose in the human body.
- D. Excessive dieting can be detrimental to one's health.

**Key Takeaway**

The passage underscores the crucial role and efficiency of fat as an energy reserve in the human body, particularly highlighting how it conserves space and weight compared to carbohydrates.
Transcribed Image Text:### The Importance and Efficiency of Fat Storage in the Human Body **Introduction** Fat can be defined loosely as a source for energy storage in the human body. The human anatomy is designed to carry food reserves to ensure the body's survival when food becomes scarce. However, in our slim-conscious society, many people go to great lengths to keep fat from accumulating on their bodies, sometimes with harmful effects. **The Efficiency of Fat as an Energy Source** Fat is more efficient in storing energy than carbohydrates for several reasons: 1. **Highly Concentrated Energy Source**: Fat is a highly concentrated energy source. 2. **Lower Weight**: Fat weighs less than the same energy amount of carbohydrates. 3. **Water-free Storage**: Fat is much more efficient to carry as an energy source because it does not hold water as do carbohydrates. For example, an average 70-kilogram human male normally has about 11 kilograms of fat in his body. This fat represents enough stored energy to keep him alive for a month without eating. The same amount of energy stored as starch would double his body weight. **Comprehension Check** Which view does the passage support? - A. Fats lead to high levels of cholesterol. - B. One heavy meal each day suffices for usual intake. - C. Reserves of fat serve no purpose in the human body. - D. Excessive dieting can be detrimental to one's health. **Key Takeaway** The passage underscores the crucial role and efficiency of fat as an energy reserve in the human body, particularly highlighting how it conserves space and weight compared to carbohydrates.
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