6 Nutrition

6.1 TYPES OF
NUTRITION
Nutrition
The entire process by which
organisms obtain energy and
nutrient from food, for growth,
maintenance and repair of
damaged tissues

Nutrients The energy are used:
The substances that
are required for the
nourishment of an
organism.

For synthesis
substances for growth,
maintenance and repair
of damaged tissues
For active transport
For electrical
transmission of nerve
impulses
To maintain a constant
body temperature in
birds and mammals

6.1 Types of nutrition
6.1 Types of nutrition
The two types of nutrition
are:
a)Autotrophic nutrition
b)Heterotrophic nutrition
Autotrophic nutrition
Autotrophs (autos: self; trophos: feed) are
organism which practise autotrophic nutrition.
Autotrophs synthesis complex organic
compound from raw, simple inorganic
substances, such as air and water, by using
light or chemical energy.
Autotrophs manufacture their own food, either
by photosynthesis or by chemosynthesis
Photosynthesis Chemosynthesis
(photo:light) is the
process in which
photoautotrophs
(green plants) produce
organic molecules
(glucose) from carbon
dioxide and water
(inorganic compounds)
using sunlight as a
source of energy.
(chemo: chemical) is the
process in which
chemoautotrophs
synthesis organic
compounds by
oxidising inorganic
substances such as
hydrogen sulphide and
ammonia.
Exp: sulphur bacteria

Autotrophic nutrition
Heterotrophic Nutrition
Heterotrophs (hetero: other) are organisms that
cannot synthesise their own nutrients but instead
must obtain the nutrients from other organisms.
Heterotrophic nutrition is a type of nutrition in
which an organism obtains energy through the
intake and digestion of organic substances usually
plant and animal tissues.
Heterotrophs may practise holozoic nutrition,
saprophytism or parasitism.
Holozoic Nutrition
The
organisms
feed by
ingesting
solid organic
matter which
is
subsequently
digested and
absorbed
into their
bodies.

Holozoic Nutrition-
Venus flytraps
Humans,
herbivores,
omnivores,
carnivores,
carnivorous
plants
(pitcher
plants and
Venus
flytraps)
Holozoic nutrition
pitcher plants
Humans,
herbivores,
omnivores,
carnivores,
carnivorous
plants
(pitcher
plants and
Venus
flytraps)

Saprophytism
The organisms
(saprophytes)
feed on dead
and decaying
matter.

Saprophytism
Exp: bacteria
and fungi
which digest
their food
externally
before
absorbing the
nutrients into
their bodies.

Parasitism- flea
Parasitism is a
close association
in which an
organism
(parasite) obtains
nutrients by
living on or in
the body of
another living
organism (host).
The parasite
absorbs
readily
digested food
from its host.

Parasitism- lice
fleas
lice
various
bacteria
fungi
tapeworms
THE NECESSITY FOR A
BALANCED DIET AND
DAILY ENERGY
REQUIREMENT

6.2 Balanced Diet
The necessity for a balanced diet and
daily energy requirement
The energy consumed by the body in a day while
carrying out all the basic processes such as
breathing, excretion and maintaining body
temperature is known as the basal metabolic rate
(BMR)

Balanced Diet
A balanced diet contains all the seven
classes of nutrient which includes
carbohydrates, proteins, lipids,
vitamins, minerals, water and
roughage in the correct proportion and
quantity, to meet the daily requirements of
the body.
A balanced diet is essential for a healthy
growth and development of the body.

Balanced Diet
An adequate daily supply is required for
every person.
Carbohydrates and lipids provide
energy
proteins promote growth
Minerals, vitamins, water and roughage
help to maintain health.

Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is able to fulfill the
daily energy requirement of the
human body.

Energy is needed to perform physical
activities and to sustain vital
functions such as heartbeat, breathing
and for maintaining body
temperature
Factors affecting daily energy
requirement f the human body:
Age
Sex
Pregnancy and lactation
Occupation
Size or body weight
Climate


Age
Growing children and teenagers
need more energy compared to adults.

The metabolic rate in growing
children and teenagers is higher than
adults because they need more energy
for growth.
Sex
A male adult needs more energy than a
female adult of the same size and age.

The metabolic rate in males is much
higher than that of females.

Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnant women require more energy
to support growing foetuses.

Breast-feeding mothers need more
energy to produce milk for their
babies.
Occupation
A person who is very active and does
heavy work need more energy each
day than a person who is moderately
active.

A moderately active person in turn
requires more energy than a person
who practises a sedentary lifestyle.
Size and body weight
Small sized people need more energy
than big sized people.

The rate of heat loss in small sized
people is higher than big size people
because they have a large surface area
per unit volume.
Climate
People living in cold countries require
more energy to maintain body
temperature compared to those
living in tropics.
Energy content of food
Energy is obtained from oxidation of
glucose during cell respiration. The unit
for energy is Joule (J).

The energy value is the quantity of heat
produced when one gram of food is
completely oxidised. It measures the
energy content of the food.

Energy content of food
The energy content of a particular food
can be measured by burning known
mass of the food completely in the
presence of oxygen in a bomb
calorimeter.


Energy content of food
Energy value of food (kJg
-1
) =

4.2 (Jg
-1
C
-1
)x mass of water (g) x increase in temperature (C)
mass of food sample (g) x 1000

Calculate the energy value of the peanut
by referring to the data below.
Mass of peanut o.5 g
Mass of water 20 g
Initial temperature
of water
25 C
Final temperature of
water
42C
What is the heat produced by 1 g cashew nut?

Mass of cashew nut o.5 g
Volume of water 20 cm
Initial temperature of
water
26 C
Final temperature of
water
68C
Nutrient content in food
Test for Reagent
Starch
Reducing sugar
Non-reducing
sugar
Dilute
hydrochloric acid
& Benedicts
solution
Nutrient content in food
Test for Reagent
Protein Biurets test
(20% NaOH & 1%
CuSO4)
Lipid -
Vitamin C DCPIP
solution
Vitamins
a group of complex organic
compounds

needed in small quantities

essential for the maintenance of good
health and efficient metabolism.

Fat-soluble
vitamins
Water-soluble
vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins
are vitamins A, D, E
and K and can be
stored in body fat

Water-soluble vitamins
include vitamins B and
C.
They cannot be stored
in the body, and have
to be constantly
supplied in the daily
diet.

Vitamins
Sources, functions and
effects of vitamin
deficiency:
A
Dairy products,
egg yolk,
buttter, fish
liver oil, green
vegetables

Functions
Formation of light-sensitive
pigment in the retina.
Acts as an antioxidant.
Maintenance of epithelial tissues.
Delay the ageing process
Symptoms of deficiency
night blindness
xeropthalmia (cornea becomes dry
and opaque)
scaly skin
D
dairy products,
egg yolk, cod
liver oil, milk,
(also
synthesised in
the human skin
in the presence
of sunlight)
Functions
Aids in the absorption of calcium
and phosphorus ions in the small
intestine for the formation of bones and
teeth.
Symptoms of deficiency
Ricket (poor teeth and bone
formation in children)
Osteomalacia softening of bones in
adults
Ricket

E
Wheatgerm,
nuts, green
vegetables,
grains, olive oil,
milk
Functions
Produce red blood cells.
Acts as an antioxidant
prevents damage to phospholipids in
plasma membranes
Symptoms of deficiency
Anaemia
muscular dystrophy
liver damage
infertility
K
egg yolk,
cabbage,
spinach
Functions
important in blood clotting
Symptoms of deficiency
Anaemia
Defective blood clotting which leads to
excessive bleeding
B1
yeast extract,
wheatgerm,
whole grain,
nuts, milk,
liver, legumes
Wheatgerm
Yeast extract
Functions
precursor for coenzyme which
functions in carbohydrates metabolism.
Symptoms of deficiency
Beri-beri (muscle weakness, nerve
disorder, heart disorder, swollen feet
and loss of skin sensitivity)
Beri-
beri
B2
yeast extract,
wheatgerm,
milk, liver,
eggs, dairy
products
Functions
component of coenzymes in energy
metabolism.
for healthy nervous system.
Symptoms of deficiency
sore eyes and swollen tongues
skin lesions at the corner of mouth,
nose and ears.
B3
yeast extract,
legumes, liver,
lean meat,
unpolished
rice, fish
Functions
component of coenzymes in energy
metabolism.
for healthy nervous system, skin and
intestine
Symptoms of deficiency
pellagra (skin and gastrointestinal
lesions, nervous, mental disorders and
loss of appetite)
B5
egg yolk, green
vegetables,
liver, fish ,
meat
Functions
component of coenzyme A, with a role
in energy metabolism
Symptoms of deficiency
muscle cramps, fatigue, impaired
motor coordination
B6
liver, fish,
meat, potatoes,
whole grains,
nuts, yeast
extract, milk
Functions
coenzymes in amino acid metabolism
Symptoms of deficiency

muscular twitching
retarded growth
kidney stones
B12
milk, meat,
eggs, cheese
Functions
a coenzymes in nucleic acid metabolism
formation of red blood cells.
Symptoms of deficiency
pernicious anaemia
neurological disorder
weight loss
Folic
acid
B9
green
vegetables,
oranges, nuts,
legumes, whole
grains
Functions
Acts as an coenzyme in nucleic acid and
amino acid metabolism
Symptoms of deficiency
Anaemia
gastrointestinal disturbance
diarrhoea
birth defects
Biotin
B7
legumes,
vegetables,
meat
Functions
A coenzyme in the synthesis of fat,
glycogen and amino acids
Symptoms of deficiency
fatigue
depression
nausea
muscular pains
C
citrus fruits,
tomatoes,
green peppers
Functions
required in the synthesis of collagen
maintenance of cartilage, bone, dentin
and healthy blood vessels
a strong antioxidant
Aids in detoxification
improve iron absorption

Symptoms of deficiency
poor collagen formation
scaly skin
scurvy (swollen, bleeding gums and tooth
loss)
degeneration of blood vessels, muscles and
cartilage
epithelial haemorrhages
delayed wound healing
impaired immunity