WHAT IS NUTRITION?

 Good morning, People!

Trust you'll are all doing great and taking care of yourselves and having the right nutrition.

Remember! NUTRITION IS LIFE

What you take in, is what you get out. 

Nutrition is the core essence of how the body uses food.

This means comprehending just how much the body and mind is affected by different foods, vitamins and minerals. Food has an important role in the body, the nutrients within fuels the body and provides energy too. 

What is Nutrition?

Nutrition is the complex process by which organisms obtain and utilize essential nutrients from food to sustain life and promote health. A balanced diet includes macronutrients like carbohydrates, which provide energy, proteins for tissue repair, and fats for various body functions.

Micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, play an important role in various metabolic processes, for immune function, and overall well-being.

 Different organisms show different types or modes of nutrition, autotrophs produce their own food through processes like photosynthesis, while heterotrophs, including humans, consumes other organisms or organic matter.

Hydration is an important part of nutrition. Understanding and following good nutrition is essential for preventing diseases and maintaining optimal health throughout the lifespan.

TYPES OF NUTRITION

There are two types of nutrients found in living things, namely:

• AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION

• HETEROPHIC NUTRITION

Autotrophic Nutrition:

In the autotrophic mode, organisms produce food by using common inorganic materials like water and carbon dioxide in the presence of light and chlorophyll. In other words, photosynthesis is the process through which light energy is transformed into food, such as glucose. Plants, Algae, and Bacteria (including cyanobacteria) are examples of organisms that follow an autotrophic mode of nutrition.

During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide and water are converted into carbohydrates. These sugars are stored in plants as starch. The stored starch later provides plants with the energy they need. The process of photosynthesis can be studied in the following steps:

• Absorption: The chlorophyll present in the leaves absorbs the sunlight.

• Conversion: The absorbed light energy is changed into chemical energy. The water molecule will split into molecules of oxygen and hydrogen.

• Reduction: Carbon dioxide undergoes reduction, in which hydrogen and carbon combine to produce carbohydrates (sugar molecules).

• Each of the steps takes place separately or sometimes simultaneously.

HETEROPHIC NUTRITION

A Heteroph organism that consumes plants and animals as a source of food because they are unable to produce its own food. This includes animals, fungi, and non-photosynthetic plants. Organisms showing heterophic mode of nutrition break down complex molecules like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats through digestion into simple molecules. Decomposers such as fungi, breaks down dead organic matter and recycle the various nutrients. Heterotrophs play an important role in ecosystems by recycling

nutrients. It shows how heterophic organisma are dependent on the other organisms for sustenance.

Also Read: Ecosystem

TYPES OF HETEROTROPHIC NUTRITION

Organisms demonstrate various types of heterotrophic modes of nutrition. They are:

- Holozoic Nutrition: Holozoic nutrition is the internal digestion and absorption of solid and liquid organisms. Intake, digestion, absorption, assimilation, and elimination are all important processes. For example: All vertebrates. Even certain single-celled organisms like amoebas show holozoic nutrition.

- Saprophytic Nutrition: Animals that eat only dead and decomposing organisms for energy are commonly referred to as saprophytes. They are a crucial component of the ecosystem because they recycle nutrients into the ecosystem and maintain our surroundings clean. Fungi such as mushrooms and certain bacteria break down and absorb nutrients from dead organisms. Bread that is stale and other related food items are caused due to it.

- Parasitic Nutrition: Parasites are organisms that show dependency on a host organism for nourishment and often cause harm to the host. Plants and animals can both act as hosts. Parasites like tapeworms or fleas that live on or inside a host organism to obtain nutrients.

COMPONENTS OF NUTRITION

There are around seven nutrients that are necessary for human health. Ensuring a balanced intake of these nutrients is essential for promoting overall health and preventing nutritional deficiencies. Various nutrients are divided into macronutrients and micronutrients.

MACRONUTRIENTS

Macronutrients are defined as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. They are required by the body for energy and maintaining body structure. They are described as follows:

CARBOHYDRATES

Carbohydrates are also called saccharides and carbs. They are sugar molecules divided based on the number of monomers divided into disaccharides, monosaccharides, or polysaccharides. They are the sugars, starches, and dietary fibre that occur in certain foods. The body breaks them down into glucose, which provides energy. Each gram of carbohydrates provides 4 calories. Foods rich in carbohydrates include rice, noodles, bread, grain-based products, and many more, additionally, they prevent the body from transforming the protein into energy, minimizing the loss of muscle mass. Complex carbohydrates help us to remain full for a long time while maintaining weight.  

PROTEIN

Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acids. Enzymes and Hormones are produced by proteins. Protein is a nutrient needed by the human body for growth and maintenance. There are 20 essential amino acids. Amino acids are essential for the human body in order to produce new proteins and repair the cells. They are present in food items like eggs, red meat, dairy, beans and nuts.

FATS

Fat is defined as any ester of a fatty acid. The body resupplies energy and sustains cell growth. They provide the body with its energy and protect it from injury. The fats keep the body active and warm. Typically, both saturated and unsaturated fats can be present in food items. Healthier to consume foods low in saturated fat, such as butter, seafood, cheese, coconut oil, chocolate, etc. Unsaturated fats are found naturally in foods such as avocados, salmon, almonds, and nuts.

MICRONUTRIENTS

Micronutrients include essential vitamins and minerals that the body needs in small amounts. It plays an important role in various physiological functions like growth and overall health. They are described as follows:

WATER

Each individual requires a minimum of two litres of water every day. Water is also essential to maintain cell health, maintain body temperature, minimize the risk of cystitis, lubricate and cushion joints, and keep the bladder free from harmful bacteria.

MINERALS 

Minerals constitute essential micronutrients that contribute to healthy cardiovascular health and the building of strong bones. The human body requires sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, phosphorus, and many other minerals.

FIBERS

Fibres related to diet are polysaccharides or carbohydrates that help in digestion. Dietary fibres do not supply us with any kind of nourishment or calories, helping in detoxifying the digestive tract of harmful substances. It helps eliminate and minimize the risk of cancer in the body. Rich sources of fibre include wholemeal bread, wheat, bran, nuts, veggies, etc.

4VITAMINS

The body requires relatively small amounts of vitamins, considered vital nutrients. The body lacks the ability to produce vitamins. It must be included in the diet. They belong to two distinct groups: fat-soluble and water-soluble. The fat-soluble vitamins D, A, E, and K are eliminated from the body. On the other hand, water-soluble vitamins such as folate, riboflavin, vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, niacin, and thiamine are stored in the body's cells.

Also read on:

- Nutrition in Plants

- Nutrient Management

- Nutrition in Human Beings - Carbohydrates, Vitamins, Proteins and Fats

FAQS on Nutrition

1. Define Nutrition: 

                                              Nutrition is the process by which organisms obtain and utilize the                                                necessary nutrients for growth, energy, and maintenance of bodily                                                  functions through the intake of food and its subsequent conversion 

into essential components.

2. What are the Different Modes of Nutrition in Living Beings?

The different modes of nutrition in living beings include autotrophic

nutrition, producing their own food through processes like

photosynthesis, and heterotrophic nutrition, relying on external sources

for organic nutrients by consuming other organisms or organic matter.

3. What are the Different Modes of Heterotrophic Nutrition?

Heterotrophic Nutrition in living beings includes holozoic nutrition,

Involving the ingestion of solid food, saprophytic nutrition, relying

on the decomposition of dead organic matter, and parasitic nutrition,

where organisms obtain nutrients from a host, harming the host

organisms.

4. What is Holozoic Nutrition? Which Organism Exhibits Holozoic Nutrition?

Holozoic nutrition is a type of heterotrophic nutrition where organisms

ingest solid food, which is then broken down internally through processes

like digestion. Animals, including humans, exhibit holozoic nutrition as

they consume and digest complex food particles to extract nutrients.

5. What are Mixotrophs?

Mixotrophs are organisms that can perform both photosynthesis

(autotrophy) and consume organic matter (heterotrophy) for energy

and nutrients. This dual nutritional strategy allows mixotrophs to adapt

to varying environmental conditions.