Nutrition Basics

Study Notes

Nutrition is the process by which living organisms obtain energy and nutrients from their environment to sustain life.

There are two main modes of nutrition:

Autotrophic Nutrition: The ability of organisms to produce their own food using light energy, water, and carbon dioxide. Examples: plants, algae, and some bacteria.
Heterotrophic Nutrition: The ability of organisms to obtain energy by consuming other organisms or organic matter. Examples: animals, fungi, and some bacteria.

The process of nutrition involves the following steps:

Ingestion: Taking in food or nutrients through the mouth or other openings.
Digestion: Breaking down complex nutrients into simpler molecules using enzymes and acids.
Absorption: The uptake of nutrients into the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Assimilation: The conversion of absorbed nutrients into energy or the building blocks of life.
Egestion: The elimination of undigested waste products from the body.

There are six main types of nutrients:

Carbohydrates: Provide energy for the body. Examples: sugars, starches, and fibers.
Proteins: Build and repair tissues. Examples: amino acids, peptides, and proteins.
Fats: Provide energy and insulation. Examples: triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesterol.
Vitamins: Essential for growth, development, and maintenance. Examples: vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.
Minerals: Inorganic elements required for various bodily functions. Examples: calcium, iron, and potassium.
Water: Essential for hydration, temperature regulation, and waste removal.

Proper nutrition is crucial for:

Definition: The process by which living organisms obtain energy and nutrients from their environment to sustain life.

Autotrophic Nutrition: The ability of organisms to produce their own food using light energy, water, and carbon dioxide, found in plants, algae, and some bacteria.
Heterotrophic Nutrition: The ability of organisms to obtain energy by consuming other organisms or organic matter, found in animals, fungi, and some bacteria.

Ingestion: Taking in food or nutrients through the mouth or other openings.
Digestion: Breaking down complex nutrients into simpler molecules using enzymes and acids.
Absorption: The uptake of nutrients into the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Assimilation: The conversion of absorbed nutrients into energy or the building blocks of life.
Egestion: The elimination of undigested waste products from the body.

Carbohydrates: Provide energy for the body, including sugars, starches, and fibers.
Proteins: Build and repair tissues, including amino acids, peptides, and proteins.
Fats: Provide energy and insulation, including triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesterol.
Vitamins: Essential for growth, development, and maintenance, including vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.
Minerals: Inorganic elements required for various bodily functions, including calcium, iron, and potassium.
Water: Essential for hydration, temperature regulation, and waste removal.

Proper nutrition is crucial for energy production, growth and development, maintenance of bodily functions, immune system function, and overall health and well-being.