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Nutrition

The document provides an overview of nutrition, detailing the types of nutrients essential for energy, growth, and health, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water, and dietary fiber. It explains the processes of autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition, digestion in humans, and the importance of a balanced diet in preventing deficiency diseases. Additionally, it highlights the role of enzymes in digestion and lists common nutritional deficiency diseases.

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2 views9 pages

Nutrition

The document provides an overview of nutrition, detailing the types of nutrients essential for energy, growth, and health, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water, and dietary fiber. It explains the processes of autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition, digestion in humans, and the importance of a balanced diet in preventing deficiency diseases. Additionally, it highlights the role of enzymes in digestion and lists common nutritional deficiency diseases.

Uploaded by

sunbeamweb01
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Nutrition Biology Notes

1. Introduction to Nutrition

Nutrition is the process by which living organisms obtain and use food for:

 Energy production

 Growth and development

 Repair of body tissues

 Maintaining health

Food contains nutrients that are essential for survival.

2. Nutrients

Nutrients are substances present in food that provide energy and materials
needed by the body.

Types of Nutrients

1. Carbohydrates

 Main source of energy

 Made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

 Broken down into glucose

Sources:

 Rice

 Bread

 Potatoes

 Fruits

2. Proteins

 Needed for growth and repair of tissues

 Made up of amino acids

Sources:
 Meat

 Eggs

 Fish

 Beans

 Milk

Functions:

 Build muscles

 Repair damaged cells

 Make enzymes and hormones

3. Fats (Lipids)

 Concentrated source of energy

 Help absorb vitamins

 Provide insulation to the body

Sources:

 Butter

 Oils

 Nuts

 Seeds

4. Vitamins

Organic compounds needed in small amounts for normal body functions.

Types:

Fat-soluble vitamins:

 Vitamin A

 Vitamin D

 Vitamin E
 Vitamin K

Water-soluble vitamins:

 Vitamin B group

 Vitamin C

Functions:

 Maintain immunity

 Support growth

 Prevent diseases

5. Minerals

Inorganic nutrients required for body processes.

Examples:

Calcium

 Strong bones and teeth

Iron

 Formation of haemoglobin

Iodine

 Thyroid function

Sodium and Potassium

 Nerve and muscle function

6. Water

Water is essential for:

 Transport of nutrients

 Removal of wastes

 Temperature regulation

 Chemical reactions in cells


7. Dietary Fibre (Roughage)

 Indigestible plant material

 Helps movement of food through the digestive system

Sources:

 Vegetables

 Fruits

 Whole grains

3. Balanced Diet

A balanced diet contains all nutrients in the correct amounts required by


the body.

A balanced diet includes:

 Carbohydrates

 Proteins

 Fats

 Vitamins

 Minerals

 Water

 Fibre

Importance:

 Provides energy

 Prevents deficiency diseases

 Maintains healthy body weight

4. Modes of Nutrition

A. Autotrophic Nutrition
Organisms prepare their own food using sunlight.

Example:

 Green plants

Process:
Photosynthesis

Sunlight

CO₂

Water

Oxygen

Glucose

All inputs are low, so the photosynthesis rate is low; none is more available
than the others

Light

LowMediumHigh

LowMediumHigh

CO₂

LowMediumHigh

LowMediumHigh

Water

LowMediumHigh

LowMediumHigh

Equation:
6 C O 2 +6 H 2 Olight , chlorophyll C6 H 12 O 6 +6 O 2
→

Requirements:

 Sunlight

 Chlorophyll

 Carbon dioxide
 Water

B. Heterotrophic Nutrition

Organisms depend on other organisms for food.

Types:

1. Holozoic Nutrition

Taking in solid food and digesting it.

Examples:

 Humans

 Animals

2. Saprophytic Nutrition

Obtaining food from dead and decaying matter.

Examples:

 Fungi

3. Parasitic Nutrition

Obtaining food from a living host.

Examples:

 Tapeworm

 Cuscuta plant

5. Digestion in Humans

Digestion is the process of breaking complex food into simpler substances


that can be absorbed by the body.

Human Digestive System

Main organs:

1. Mouth

2. Oesophagus
3. Stomach

4. Small intestine

5. Large intestine

6. Rectum

7. Anus

Pancreas

Bloodstream

Skeletal muscle cell

Insulin

Glucose

The pancreas releases insulin when blood glucose rises

Insulin

NormalDeficiencyResistance

NormalDeficiencyResistance

6. Steps of Digestion

1. Mouth

 Food is chewed

 Saliva mixes with food

 Enzyme amylase begins carbohydrate digestion

2. Stomach

 Hydrochloric acid kills bacteria

 Protein digestion begins

 Enzyme pepsin breaks proteins

3. Small Intestine

 Complete digestion occurs

 Nutrients are absorbed into blood


Functions:

 Receives bile from liver

 Receives enzymes from pancreas

4. Large Intestine

 Absorbs water

 Forms faeces

7. Enzymes in Digestion

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up digestion.

Examples:

Enzym
Digests Product
e

Amylas Carbohydrat
Glucose
e es

Pepsin Proteins Amino acids

Fatty acids +
Lipase Fats
glycerol

8. Nutritional Deficiency Diseases

Nutrient
Disease
Deficiency

Night
Vitamin A
blindness

Vitamin B1 Beriberi

Vitamin C Scurvy

Vitamin D Rickets

Iron Anaemia

Iodine Goitre
Nutrient
Disease
Deficiency

Protein Kwashiorkor

9. Importance of Nutrition

Good nutrition helps:

 Maintain energy levels

 Support growth

 Strengthen immunity

 Repair tissues

 Maintain healthy organs

Quick Revision Points

 Nutrition is the process of obtaining and using food.

 Nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals,


water, and fibre.

 Plants show autotrophic nutrition through photosynthesis.

 Animals show heterotrophic nutrition.

 Digestion converts complex food into simpler substances.

 A balanced diet prevents deficiency diseases.

 Enzymes help break down food.

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