Nutrition in Plants and Animals

Study Notes

Nutrition in Plants

Plants are autotrophs, synthesizing their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, containing chlorophyll, a green pigment absorbing sunlight.
The overall photosynthesis reaction is: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ (Carbon dioxide + Water → Glucose + Oxygen).
Plants require minerals (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium) for growth, absorbed through roots.

Nutrition in Animals

Animals are heterotrophs, obtaining food from other organisms.
Animal nutrition involves intake, digestion, absorption, and assimilation of food.
Animals exhibit diverse feeding habits: herbivores (plant-eaters), carnivores (meat-eaters), and omnivores (eating both).

Human Digestive System

The human digestive system breaks down food into absorbable molecules.
Key organs include mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
Each organ plays a specific digestive role.
Mechanical digestion physically breaks down food; chemical digestion uses enzymes to break down molecules.
Salivary amylase initiates carbohydrate digestion in the mouth.

Nutrition in Humans - Importance of Different Nutrients

Carbohydrates are the body's primary energy source.
Proteins are vital for growth, repair, and tissue maintenance.
Lipids (fats) provide insulation and energy storage.
Vitamins and minerals are essential for metabolic functions.
Nutrient deficiencies can cause health problems.
A balanced diet with all nutrients is crucial for health.

Respiration

Respiration breaks down food molecules, releasing energy as ATP.
Aerobic respiration needs oxygen; anaerobic respiration doesn't.
Aerobic respiration is more efficient, producing more ATP.
The human respiratory system takes in oxygen and expels carbon dioxide.
Involved organs include the nose, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Transportation in Plants

Plants transport water, minerals, and food through xylem and phloem.
Xylem carries water and minerals from roots to the plant.
Phloem transports sugars (made during photosynthesis) from leaves to other parts.
Transpiration, water loss from leaves through evaporation, is crucial for water transport.

Transportation in Humans

The human circulatory system transports substances throughout the body.
This system consists of the heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), and blood.
Blood carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products.
The heart is a muscular pump circulating blood.
The circulatory system maintains internal balance (homeostasis).

Excretion in Humans

Excretion removes metabolic waste from the body.
The excretory system includes kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Kidneys filter blood, producing urine containing waste.
Urine is stored in the bladder and eliminated through the urethra.
Excretion maintains a healthy internal environment.

Control and Coordination in Animals

Control and coordination are crucial for homeostasis and responding to stimuli.
The nervous and endocrine systems play key roles.
The nervous system uses nerve impulses for quick signals.
The endocrine system uses hormones for regulatory functions.
Coordination handles internal and external stimuli.

Control and Coordination in Plants

Plants display growth responses (tropisms).
Phototropism is the response to light.
Geotropism is the response to gravity.
Plants react to touch, water, and other stimuli.
Plants lack nervous tissue and hormones as in animals.
Plant growth regulators, such as auxins, coordinate responses.

Movement in Plants and Animals

Plants have limited movement, primarily growth responses.
Animals have diverse movements: walking, running, flying, swimming.
Muscles and skeletons enable animal movement.
Coordination between the nervous system and muscles is essential for movement.
Skeletal systems provide support and protection.

Description

Explore the fascinating processes of nutrition in plants and animals. This quiz covers photosynthesis in plants and the diverse feeding habits and digestive processes of animals, including humans. Test your knowledge on how different organisms obtain and utilize nutrients!