FTCE Physical Education K-12 Practice Test

What is a primary function of fats in the human body?

1. Energy storage and a key component of cells

2. Growth and repair of tissues

3. Transporting vitamins in the blood

4. Regulating body temperature

The correct answer is: Energy storage and a key component of cells

Fats play a crucial role in the human body primarily through energy storage and serving as key components of cells. They provide a concentrated source of energy, offering more than twice the calories per gram compared to carbohydrates and proteins. This makes fats particularly important for endurance and prolonged energy supply. In addition to energy storage, fats are essential for the structural integrity of cell membranes. Phospholipids, a type of fat, form the fundamental structure of cell membranes, allowing them to maintain their shape and functionality while also providing a barrier to harm. Moreover, fats are important for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), although that specific function is primarily highlighted in another answer choice. The other options, while important biological functions, do not highlight the primary role of fats as effectively. Growth and repair of tissues are more commonly associated with proteins. Transporting vitamins in the blood pertains to both fats and proteins, but fats specifically support the transport of fat-soluble vitamins within the lipid environment. Lastly, regulating body temperature is a function of body fat as insulation but still primarily relates to energy storage and cellular structure as the foundational roles of fats in human physiology.