5.2-Nutrition

5.2-Nutrition Important Formulae

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Nutrition is a vital life process that involves the intake and utilization of food by living organisms to obtain energy, growth, and repair. It encompasses various activities, including the ingestion, digestion, absorption, and assimilation of nutrients.

5.2.1 Types of Nutrition

Nutrition can be broadly classified into two main types:

  • Autotrophic Nutrition: This type of nutrition is found in organisms that can produce their own food from simple inorganic substances.
    • Photoautotrophs: Organisms, such as green plants, use sunlight to synthesize food through the process of photosynthesis. The general equation for photosynthesis is:
      • 6CO2 + 6H2O + Light Energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2
    • Chemoautotrophs: These organisms, like certain bacteria, obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic substances.
  • Heterotrophic Nutrition: This type is found in organisms that cannot synthesize their own food and must consume other organisms or organic matter. Heterotrophs can be further classified into:
    • Herbivores: Organisms that primarily consume plants. Example: Cows and deer.
    • Carnivores: Organisms that feed on other animals. Example: Lions and eagles.
    • Omnivores: Organisms that consume both plants and animals. Example: Humans and bears.
    • Decomposers: Organisms that break down dead organic matter. Example: Fungi and bacteria.
5.2.2 Process of Nutrition in Humans

In humans, nutrition involves several key stages:

  • Ingestion: The process of taking food into the body through the mouth.
  • Digestion: The mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into simpler substances. This occurs in two main stages:
    • Mechanical Digestion: The physical breakdown of food by chewing in the mouth and churning in the stomach.
    • Chemical Digestion: The enzymatic breakdown of complex food molecules into simpler forms, facilitated by digestive enzymes. Major digestive enzymes include:
      • Amylase: Breaks down starch into sugars.
      • Protease: Breaks down proteins into amino acids.
      • Lipase: Breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
  • Absorption: The process by which digested nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. This primarily occurs in the small intestine, where villi and microvilli increase the surface area for absorption.
  • Assimilation: The utilization of absorbed nutrients by the body for energy, growth, and repair. Nutrients are transported to cells where they are used for various metabolic processes.
  • Excretion: The elimination of undigested waste products from the body. This occurs through the rectum and anus as feces.
5.2.3 Importance of Nutrition

Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining health and well-being. Key aspects include:

  • Energy Supply: Nutrients provide the energy required for various bodily functions and physical activities.
  • Growth and Development: Adequate nutrition supports growth in children and adolescents, ensuring proper development of tissues and organs.
  • Repair and Maintenance: Nutrients play a critical role in repairing tissues and maintaining cellular functions.
  • Immune Function: Proper nutrition is vital for a healthy immune system, helping the body defend against infections.
5.2.4 Balanced Diet

A balanced diet is essential for optimal health and includes a variety of foods that provide necessary nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. The components of a balanced diet include:

  • Carbohydrates: Provide energy; found in grains, fruits, and vegetables.
  • Proteins: Essential for growth and repair; found in meat, fish, eggs, and legumes.
  • Fats: Provide energy and support cell function; found in oils, nuts, and dairy products.
  • Vitamins and Minerals: Required for various metabolic processes; found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.


Palmini Nutrition (Label).
SnoozeAlpha, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

5.2- पोषण (Nutrition)

पोषण जीवन के महत्वपूर्ण जीवन प्रक्रिया है, जिसके द्वारा जीवों को उनके जीवन के लिए आवश्यक ऊर्जा प्राप्त होती है। यह प्रक्रिया भोजन से पोषक तत्वों को अवशोषित करने और उनका उपयोग करने से संबंधित होती है। इस प्रक्रिया में मुख्य रूप से कार्बोहाइड्रेट, प्रोटीन, वसा, विटामिन, और खनिज तत्व शामिल होते हैं।

जीवों के पोषण के प्रकार मुख्यतः दो प्रकार के होते हैं:

1. हेटरोट्रॉफिक पोषण (Heterotrophic Nutrition)

इसमें जीवों को अपना भोजन अन्य जीवों से प्राप्त करना पड़ता है। यह जीव अन्य जीवों के अंगों या उनकी जैविक सामग्री को खाते हैं। उदाहरण के रूप में मनुष्य, कुत्ते, शेर, आदि आते हैं। हेटरोट्रॉफिक पोषण के तीन प्रमुख प्रकार होते हैं:

  • साप्रदायिक पोषण (Saprophytic Nutrition): इस प्रकार के पोषण में जीव मृत या सड़े-गले पदार्थों को खाते हैं, जैसे बैक्टीरिया और कवक।
  • पारासाइटिक पोषण (Parasitic Nutrition): इस प्रकार के पोषण में एक जीव दूसरे जीव के शरीर से पोषक तत्वों का उपयोग करता है। उदाहरण के लिए, मच्छर और कृमि।
  • ऑलिगोट्रॉफिक पोषण (Holozoic Nutrition): इसमें जीव भोजन को निगलकर उसकी पाचन क्रिया के माध्यम से पोषक तत्वों को अवशोषित करते हैं। मनुष्य और अन्य जानवर इसका उदाहरण हैं।
2. ऑटोट्रॉफिक पोषण (Autotrophic Nutrition)

इस प्रकार के पोषण में जीव अपने भोजन को स्वयं तैयार करते हैं, बिना किसी बाहरी स्रोत से पोषक तत्वों का सेवन किए। यह प्रक्रिया प्रकाश संश्लेषण (Photosynthesis) के द्वारा होती है। उदाहरण के लिए पौधे, शैवाल, और कुछ बैक्टीरिया इस प्रक्रिया का पालन करते हैं।

प्रकाश संश्लेषण की प्रक्रिया में, पौधे सूर्य की ऊर्जा को अवशोषित करते हैं और उसे रासायनिक ऊर्जा में बदलते हैं। यह प्रक्रिया मुख्य रूप से पौधों के पत्तों में होती है, जहाँ पर क्लोरोप्लास्ट नामक कोशिका अंग पाई जाती है। इस प्रक्रिया का रासायनिक समीकरण है:

6CO2 + 6H2O + प्रकाश ऊर्जा → C6H12O6 + 6O2

इस समीकरण में, कार्बन डाइऑक्साइड (CO2) और पानी (H2O) को पौधा प्रकाश ऊर्जा की मदद से ग्लूकोज (C6H12O6) में बदलता है, और इसके साथ ऑक्सीजन (O2) उत्पन्न होती है।

3. मानवों में पोषण (Nutrition in Humans)

मनुष्य का पोषण हेटरोट्रॉफिक होता है। मनुष्य भोजन को निगलते हैं और पाचन क्रिया द्वारा उसे छोटे-छोटे कणों में तोड़ते हैं, ताकि शरीर उसे अवशोषित कर सके। मानव पाचन प्रक्रिया में मुख्य अंग होते हैं:

  • मुँह (Mouth): भोजन को चबाकर छोटे टुकड़ों में बदलता है और लार में उपस्थित एंजाइम (प्टीलाइन) द्वारा कार्बोहाइड्रेट का पाचन शुरू होता है।
  • ग्रासनली (Esophagus): भोजन को मुँह से पेट तक पहुँचाने के लिए इस अंग में गतिशीलता होती है।
  • पेट (Stomach): पेट में भोजन का रासायनिक पाचन होता है, जहाँ हाइड्रोक्लोरिक एसिड और एंजाइम प्रोटीन का पाचन करते हैं।
  • आंतें (Intestines): छोटी आंत में पोषक तत्वों का अवशोषण होता है, जबकि बड़ी आंत में पानी और खनिज तत्वों का अवशोषण होता है।

इस प्रक्रिया में शरीर के विभिन्न अंग जैसे जिगर, आंतों में स्थित ऊतक, और अन्य एंजाइम महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाते हैं।

What are the differences between autotrophic nutrition and heterotrophic nutrition?

Solution:

Differences Between Autotrophic Nutrition and Heterotrophic Nutrition
Autotrophic nutrition is the process by which organisms produce their own food using inorganic substances and energy sources like sunlight. Examples include plants and some bacteria, which utilize photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. In contrast, heterotrophic nutrition involves organisms obtaining food from other living beings. Heterotrophs, such as animals, fungi, and most bacteria, depend on consuming organic matter for energy. Autotrophs can be classified into photoautotrophs and chemoautotrophs, while heterotrophs can be further categorized into herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. The key distinction lies in food production versus food consumption for energy and growth.

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Where do plants get each of the raw materials required for photosynthesis?

What is the role of the acid in our stomach?

Solution:

Role of Acid in Our Stomach
The acid present in our stomach is hydrochloric acid (HCl). It plays a crucial role in the digestive process by creating an acidic environment, which helps in the breakdown of food. The acid activates the enzyme pepsin, which is essential for the digestion of proteins into smaller peptides. Hydrochloric acid also kills harmful bacteria and pathogens that enter the stomach along with food, thus protecting the body from infections. Additionally, the acidic pH ensures the proper absorption of certain minerals like iron and calcium. The stomach lining is protected from the acid by a layer of mucus.

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What is the function of digestive enzymes?

Solution:

Function of Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzymes play a crucial role in the process of digestion by breaking down complex food molecules into simpler, absorbable forms. These enzymes are secreted by various organs such as the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. They act on carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, converting them into sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids respectively. For example, amylase breaks down starch into sugars, protease breaks down proteins into amino acids, and lipase converts fats into fatty acids and glycerol. By facilitating these chemical reactions, digestive enzymes ensure that nutrients are available for absorption into the bloodstream.

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How is the small intestine designed to absorb digested food?

Solution:

Design of the Small Intestine to Absorb Digested Food
The small intestine is specially designed to absorb digested food efficiently. Its inner lining has numerous finger-like projections called villi, which increase the surface area for absorption. Each villus is covered with microvilli, further enhancing the surface area. The walls of the small intestine are thin and richly supplied with blood vessels, allowing nutrients to easily diffuse into the bloodstream. The large surface area provided by the villi and microvilli, combined with the close proximity of the blood vessels, ensures that digested food is absorbed quickly and transported to various parts of the body.

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