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Nutrition in Living Organism

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Nutrition is the process by which we obtain and consume food that is necessary for growth and overall health. Nutrition can be divided into two main types: The autotrophic mode of nutrition, where organisms produce their own food, and the heterotrophic mode of nutrition, where organisms consume other living organisms or organic matter for nutrients.

Components of nutrition include: Macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and micronutrients like vitamins and minerals are essential components of nutrition. Proper nutrition helps maintain energy levels and protects against diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and many age-related illnesses.

Definition of Nutrition

Nutrition is the process of obtaining and utilizing essential nutrients from food to support various body functions. It includes macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats and micronutrients like vitamins, minerals.

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 roles 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 typically two forms of nutrients found in living things, namely:

Autotrophic Nutrition

In the autotrophic mode, organisms produce food on their own by using common inorganic materials like water and carbon dioxide in the presence of light and chlorophyll. In other terms, photosynthesis is the process through which light energy is transformed into food, such as glucose. Plants, Algae and bacteria (including cyanobacteria) are examples of organism who follows 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, that is hydrogen and carbon combine to produce carbohydrates (sugar molecules).
  • Each of the steps take place separately or sometime simultaneously.

Photosynthesis

Heterotrophic Nutrition

A heterotroph are the organism that consume 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 heterotrophic mode of nutrition break down complex molecules like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats through digestion into simple moelcules. Decomposers, such as fungi, breaks down dead organic matter and recycle the various nutrients. Heterotrophs play an important role in ecosystems by recycling nutrient. It shows how heterotrophic organisma are dependent on the other organisms for sustenance.

Also Read: Ecosystem

Types of Heterotrophic Nutrition

Organisms demonstrate a various type of heterotrophic mode of nutrition. They are:

  • Holozoic Nutrition: Holozoic nutrition is defined as the internal digestion and absorption of both solid and liquid by an organism. Intake, digestion, absorption, assimilation, and elimination are all important processes in this. 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. The staleness of bread and other related food items is caused due to it.
  • Parasitic Nutrition: Parasites are the organism showing 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 ike carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. They are required by the body for energy and maintaning body structure. They are described as follows:

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are also called as saccharides and carbs.They are sugar molecules that are divided on the basis of the number of monomers and are divided into disaccharides, monosaccharides, or polysaccharides. They are the sugars, starches, and dietary fiber that occur in certain foods. The body breaks them down into glucose, which provides energy. Each gram of carbohydrates provides 4 calories. Foods that are rich in carbohydrates include rice, noodles, bread, grain-based products, etc. Additionally they prevent the body from transforming the protein into energy, which minimizes 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 acid. Proteins produces enzymes and hormones. Protein is a nutrient needed by the human body for growth and maintenance. There are 20 essntial amino acid. 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 are defined as any ester of fatty acid. The body requires fats in order to supply energy as well as sustain cell growth. They provide the body its energy and protect its organs from injury. The fats keep the body active and warm. Typically, both saturated and unsaturated fats can be present in the food items. It is always healthier to consume foods low in saturated fat, such as butter, seafood, cheese, coconut oil, chocolate, etc. Unsaturated fats can be found naturally in foods such as avocados, salmon, almonds, and nuts.

Micronutrients

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

Water

Each individual requires a minimum of two liters 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 of 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, sulfur, phosphorus, and a variety of other minerals.

Fibers

Fibers in the diet are polysaccharide or carbohydrate that’s helpful in digestion. The dietary fibers do not supply us with any kind of nourishment or calories. However, it help in cleansing the digestive tract of harmful substances. Furthermore, it help in the elimination and minimizes cancer risk in the body. Rich sources of fiber include whole meal bread, wheat, bran, nuts, veggies, etc.

4Vitamins

The body requires relatively small amounts of vitamins, that are considered vital nutrients. The body lacks the ability to produce vitamins. Therefore, 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 thiamin are stored in the body’s cells.

Also Read:

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 mode of nutrition in living beings includes 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, often causing harm to the host organism.

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.



Last Updated : 06 Dec, 2023
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