Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What occurs if you consume more carbohydrates than necessary?

1. They are excreted from the body

2. They are converted to fatty acids

3. They are immediately used for energy

4. They remain unused in the bloodstream

The correct answer is: They are converted to fatty acids

When you consume more carbohydrates than your body needs for immediate energy, the excess carbohydrates undergo a process called lipogenesis, where they are converted into fatty acids. This occurs primarily in the liver. The body has a limited capacity to store carbohydrates in the form of glycogen, which is stored in the liver and muscles. Once those glycogen stores are full, additional carbohydrates need to be utilized or converted. The resulting fatty acids from this conversion can then be stored in adipose tissue for future energy use, contributing to body fat. This process is a natural part of metabolic regulation, ensuring that the body has the necessary energy supply even when calorie intake varies. Immediate energy use is typically reserved for carbohydrates that are required for current metabolic needs; hence, excess carbohydrates are not used right away. Although some carbohydrates can remain in the bloodstream temporarily, they are usually taken up by cells or converted, rather than simply left unused. Excretion of carbohydrates typically does not occur, as the body tends to utilize or store them rather than waste them.