📌 Nutrition

📝 Definition

Nutrition is the process by which living organisms obtain and use food to grow, repair their bodies, and get energy.

📘 Nutrition: Types

1. Autotrophic Nutrition

• Definition: Nutrition in which organisms make their own food from simple substances like water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight.
• Example: Plants, algae.
• Process: Photosynthesis (plants use sunlight to make glucose).

2. Heterotrophic Nutrition

• Definition: Nutrition in which organisms cannot make their own food and depend on other organisms for nutrition.
• Examples: Humans, animals, fungi.
• Types of Heterotrophic Nutrition:
  • Holozoic: Eating solid food (Humans, lions)
  • Saprophytic: Feeding on dead organic matter (Mushrooms)
  • Parasitic: Feeding on a living host (Tapeworms)

📘 Types Nutrients

A. Macronutrients

• Nutrients required in large amounts for energy, growth, and repair.
• Examples and Functions:
  1. Carbohydrates → Main source of energy (Rice, wheat, potatoes)
  2. Proteins → Growth and repair of body (Eggs, pulses, meat)
  3. Fats → Energy storage, insulation, protection (Butter, oils, nuts)
  4. Water → Transport, chemical reactions, temperature regulation

B. Micronutrients

• Nutrients required in small amounts for proper body functioning.
• Examples and Functions:
  1. Vitamins → Regulate body processes
     • Vitamin A → Vision (Carrots)
     • Vitamin D → Bone health (Sunlight, fish oil)
     • Vitamin C → Immunity (Citrus fruits)
  2. Minerals → Support structure and functions
     • Calcium → Bones and teeth (Milk)
     • Iron → Hemoglobin formation (Spinach)
     • Iodine → Thyroid hormone (Iodized salt)

🔑 Quick Memorizing Tips

• Types of Nutrition: “Auto makes, Hetero takes” → Plants make food, animals take food.
• Macronutrients: Think “CPFW” → Carbs, Protein, Fats, Water
• Micronutrients: Think “VIM” → Vitamins, Iron, Minerals

📘 Questions on Nutrition

🟢 Very Short Answer (1 mark)

1. Define autotrophic nutrition.
2. Define heterotrophic nutrition.
3. Name one example of saprophytic nutrition.
4. Give one example of a carbohydrate-rich food.
5. Name one mineral required for strong bones.

🟡 Short Answer (2–3 marks)

6. List the two main types of nutrition.
7. Give two differences between autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition.
8. Name four macronutrients and one function of each.
9. Name two micronutrients and their function.
10. Why is water considered a macronutrient?

🔴 Long Answer (4–5 marks)

11. Explain the different types of heterotrophic nutrition with examples.
12. Describe the role of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in the human body.
13. What are micronutrients? Give examples and their importance.
14. Explain why a balanced diet should include both macro and micronutrients.
15. Describe autotrophic nutrition and give an example of how plants produce their own food?

📘 Answers on Nutrition

🟢 Very Short Answer (1 mark)

1. Autotrophic nutrition: Nutrition in which organisms make their own food from simple substances like water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight.
2. Heterotrophic nutrition: Nutrition in which organisms cannot make their own food and depend on other organisms for nutrition.
3. Saprophytic nutrition example: Mushroom (feeds on dead organic matter).
4. Carbohydrate-rich food: Rice, wheat, potatoes.
5. Mineral for strong bones: Calcium (found in milk, cheese).

🟡 Short Answer (2–3 marks)

6. Two main types of nutrition: Autotrophic and Heterotrophic.
7. Differences between autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition: Feature Autotrophic Heterotrophic Food source Makes own food Depends on others Example Plants Humans, animals
8. Four macronutrients and functions:
9. Two micronutrients and functions:
   • Vitamin A: Vision (Carrots)
   • Iron: Hemoglobin formation (Spinach)
10. Why water is a macronutrient: Required in large amounts for body processes like digestion, transport, and temperature regulation.

🔴 Long Answer (4–5 marks)

11. Types of Heterotrophic Nutrition:

• Holozoic: Eating solid food (Humans, lions)
• Saprophytic: Feeding on dead matter (Mushrooms)
• Parasitic: Feeding on a living host (Tapeworms)

12. Role of Macronutrients:

• Carbohydrates: Main energy source.
• Proteins: Build and repair body tissues.
• Fats: Energy storage, insulation, protection.

13. Micronutrients:

• Nutrients required in small amounts for proper body functioning.
• Examples:
  • Vitamins → regulate body processes (Vitamin C: immunity)
  • Minerals → support structure and body functions (Calcium: bones, Iron: blood)

14. Balanced diet importance:

• Includes both macro and micronutrients in the right proportion.
• Ensures energy supply, growth, repair, and overall good health.

15. Autotrophic nutrition explanation:

• Organisms make their own food from sunlight, water, and CO₂.
• Example: Plants perform photosynthesis to produce glucose and oxygen.