Animals are heterotrophs; can’t synthesise organic compounds from inorganic molecules
Plants are autotrophs: require only inorganic compounds absorbed from environment for
growth and use energy from the sun
Animals must consume other organisms to obtain nutrients
Enormous diversity of diets and ways to obtain, process and digest food
Carbohydrates (sugars, starch & fibre): main energy source, low GI (glycemic index)
Lipids (fats and oils) energy and structural component of cells, also vitamins
Protein: can provide energy as well as amino acids for synthesis of new proteins (enzymes,
structural components of cells)
Essential amino acids ( 9 humans can’t synthesise)
Essential fatty acids (only 2 in humans)
Vitamins (organic compounds essential for metabolism)
Minerals (inorganic elements essential for metabolism
Water
Vitamins
Rickets
Scurvy
Lack of vitamin C
Source: fruits and veges – especially citrus fruits
Bleeding, skin spots, loss of teeth – fatal
Hypervitaminosis A:
Goitre
Thyroid disorder
Swelling of thyroid/neck
Most common cause
-iodine deficiency
Prevent by dietary intake of iodine
Goitre still occurs in India, central Africa, central Asia
And iodine deficiency on the rise in AUS
Metabolic Rate
Process of Digestion
Enzymes
Pharynx
Oesophagus
Stomach
Mechanical breakdown
-muscular walls churn food
Chemical Breakdown
-acidic (HCI; pH 1-2)
-enzymes
Food reduced to soup (chyme)
Pyloric sphincter allows chyme into duodenum
Small Intestine
Large intestine
Removal of water
Formation of faeces
Elimination through anus