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Nutrition
Nutrition is taking in nutrients which are organic substances and mineral ions,
containing raw materials and energy for growth and tissue repair, absorbing and
assimilating them. Nutrition is one of the characteristics of living organisms. All
organisms do it; they do it to obtain energy for vital activities and raw materials needed
for growth and repair.
Every Individual needs to take in a certain amount of each nutrient daily, depending on
their age, size, sex and activity.
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Fats
Vitamins
Minerals
Roughages
Water
Carbohydrates, proteins, fats and vitamins are all organic substances. This means that
they are made by living organisms (plants) and contain carbon atoms in their structures.
Plants make organic substances from inorganic materials like carbon dioxide, water and
inorganic minerals. Animals are unable to do this.
About 80% of our weight is water. Water is perhaps a very essential nutrient we should
take in.
Inside every living organism, chemical reactions are going on all the time. These
reactions are called metabolism
Metabolic reaction can take place if the chemicals which are reacting are dissolved
in water.
It makes up most of the blood plasma which red blood cells, nutrients, hormones
and other materials are carried in.
Water is also needed to dissolve enzymes and nutrients in the alimentary canal, so
that digestion can take place
Carbohydrates:
Function:
Monosaccharides:
Water soluble
Examples: Glucose-Fructose-Galactose
Sources: Fruits-Honey
Disaccharides:
Water soluble
Examples: Lactose-Sucrose-Maltose
Polysaccharides:
Insoluble in water
Examples: Starch-Glycogen-Cellulose
Monosaccharide and Disaccharides are sugars, they are reducing for Benedict’s
Polysaccharides are not considered as sugars and don’t have a sweet taste.
These are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. But their ratios are different than
that of carbohydrates. One fat molecule is made of a glycerol unit and three molecules
of fatty acids.
When fats are respired, they produce about twice as much energy as carbohydrates.
Proteins:
These are also organic compounds; they contain the elements Carbon, Hydrogen,
Oxygen, Nitrogen and sometimes Phosphorus or Sulfur.
A molecule of protein is a long chain of simpler units called amino acids.
Types of protein:
Animal Protein: It contains the higher biological value because it contains all
essential amino acids (Meat, Milk, Fish, Eggs etc).
Needs of proteins:
Build up hormones
Making antibodies
Although proteins are needed in high amounts, the body will only absorb as much as
needed, so excess protein is deaminated in the liver and excreted as urea.
Food Tests:
Starch Test:
Note: This test is only applicable on all sugars (monosaccharide and disaccharide)
EXCEPT FOR SUCROSE.
If reducing sugars are present the solution turns from blue to greenish, yellow,
orange, red
Proteins Test:
Fats Test:
Add ethanol
General Table: