Question

assuming an individual is consuming a well balanced diet and not engaging in prolonged exercise his or her central nervous system primarily relies primarily on what fuel? A) Protein B) Carbohydrate C) Fat D) A and B in the same amounts

Answer 1

answer " B) Carbohydrate

explanation:

Carbohydrates Provide Fuel for the Central Nervous System

Nerve cells are very dependent upon glucose for their functioning. According to physiology texts, the glycogen in nervous tissues remains constant and is not mobilized for conversion to glucose. When insufficient carbohydrates are consumed to meet the energy needs of the central nervous system, besides the occurrence of gluconeogenesis, another phenomenon occurs during a fast of three weeks or more: The cells of the central nervous system adapt their metabolic apparatus to use ketone bodies in place of glucose. The nerve cells obtain their needed functional energy from these metabolites. This explains why patients with blood sugar problems do not suffer ill effects during a fast. In fact, they benefit by fasting.