University of Central Florida (UCF) HUN3011 Human Nutrition Practice Exam 1

Water is indeed the major component of every tissue in the human body. It constitutes a significant portion of cell structure and is vital for various physiological functions. For example, water serves as a medium for biochemical reactions, helps regulate body temperature, and is essential for the transportation of nutrients and waste products. In fact, the human body is composed of about 60% water, which underscores its critical role in maintaining cellular integrity and function across different types of tissues.

While proteins, fats, and minerals are essential for various functions and structures within the body, they do not constitute as significant a proportion of body weight as water does. Proteins form structural components of cells and tissues and are crucial for enzyme function and immune response, but they are outnumbered by the volume of water. Fats provide energy and serve as a crucial component of cell membranes, while minerals contribute to structure and function (like bone health and electrolyte balance), yet the predominant constituent in terms of sheer quantity is water.