GKG HOME TUITION

SCIENCE
CHAPTER 2 : NUTRITION

PREPARED BY : MS GOMALA SUKUMARAN

CLASSES OF FOOD

NUTRITION

The process of making and obtaining food by living organisms

FOOD PROVIDES US WITH :

Energy for
cellular
activities

Energy for
physical
activities

Materials to
keep us healthy

Materials for
growth and
repair of
damaged
tissues

Materials to
keep us warm

FATS

MINERAL
S

PROTEINS

CARBOHYDRATES

VITAMINS

FIBRE

CLASSES
OF
FOOD

WATER

CARBOHYDRATES
ELEMENTS
Carbon, hydrogen
and oxygen.

EXAMPLES
Starch, sugar,
cellulose and
glycogen.
Starch rice,
potatoes, cereals
and breads
Sugar sweet food
like cakes, drinks
and fruits
Cellulose forms cell
wall of plants found
in plants such as
vegetables and
fruits.
Glycogen- animal
starch found in
liver and muscles

IMPORTANCE
The main source of
energy for physical
activities.
For keeping body
warm.
Can be converted
into proteins and
fats.

PROTEINS
ELEMENTS
Carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen and nitrogen.
Sometimes contains
sulphur and phosphorus
Amino acids- subunit of
protein molecule

EXAMPLES
Animal proteins
meats, fish, milk and
eggs.
Plant proteins beans,
peas, nuts and
vegetables.

Lack of protein
kwashiorkor, stunted
growth

IMPORTANCE
Required for the growth
of new cells.
Needed for the
replacement and repair
of damaged cells.
Act as a source of
energy during
starvation.
Required for the
formation of enzymes
and hormones.
enzymes-biological
molecule that helps to
break down foods.

FAT
ELEMENTS
Carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen
Each fat molecules
consists of a glycerol
molecule and three
fatty acid molecules.

EXAMPLES

FUNCTION

Butter, cooking oil,

margarine, cheese and
fatty meat

Contain twice the

amount of energy
supplied by carbs. Fat
is an efficient source of
energy.
Form the layer of fats
underneath the skin
that act as an insulator
to keep the body
warm.
Fats that are stored
around the oxygen act
as a protection against
physical injuries.
Act as a solvent to fatsoluble vitamins such
as vitamins A,D,E,K

MINERALS

Inorganic substances that are required in small amounts by human body.

A lack of minerals in daily diet will cause mineral deficiency diseases.

Mineral

Source

Function

Deficiency
diseases

Potassium

Meat, fish,milk,
bananas, nuts and
legumes

Essential for body Paralysis

growth and
Weak muscles
maintenance.
Important to keep
a normal water
balance btwn
cells and body
fluids.
Needed for
muscle and nerve
activities

Mineral

Source

Function

Sodium

Common salt, cheese,

passion fruit, salty fish

Regulates fluid
balance in the body.
Helps in the proper
functioning of
muscles and nerves.

Deficiency diseases
Muscular cramps

Iron

Liver, meat, egg yolk,

green vegetables

Essential for the

formation of
haemoglobin in red
blood cells.

Anaemia

Iodine

Iodised salt, seafood,

seaweed

Required to make
hormones in the thyroid
gland.

Goitre

Calcium

Milk, cheese, eggs,

yogurt, anchovies,
green vegetables

Phosphorus

Milk, cheese, eggs,

meat, fish

Helps in blood
clotting.
Builds strong bones
and teeth.
Essential for nerve
function and muscle
contraction

Rickets
Osteoporosis
Muscular cramps
Prolong bleeding

Required for muscle

contraction.
Required for strong
bones and teeth.

Rickets
Weak mucsles

VITAMINS

Organic compounds that are required in very small amounts by the body
to maintain good health.

Water-soluble
vitamins

Vitamin C
and B
complex

Fat-soluble
vitamins

Vitamin
A,D,E,K

Vitamins

Vitamin Source

Function

Deficiency
disease

eggs, milk, fish liver

oil, tomato, carrot,
papaya

Promotes healthy aye

function.
For healthy skin, hair and
nails.
Prevents night blindness.

Night blindness.
Dry skin.

Eggs, milk, liver,

cereals,

For healthy nervous

system.
Helps in metabolism of
carbs, proteins and fats.
Aids in development of
red blood cells.

Beri-beri
Anaemia
Pellagra

Citrus fruits, grapes,

guava, broccoli,
green vegetables

Maintains healthy tissues. Scurvy (bleeding

Strengthens immune
gums)
system
Promotes healing of cuts
and wounds
Keeps gums healthy
strengthens blood
vessels

Vitamin Source

Function

Deficiency
disease

Liver, egg, fish,

For healthy bones and teeth.
Aids in absorption of calcium
dairy products,
oyster, made in
and phosphorus.
the skin when the
skin is exposed to
sunlight

Rickets in
children.
Osteoporosis in
adults.

Seeds and nuts,

seafood, eggs,
vegetable oils,
soybeans,
broccoli

Sterility

Egg yolk, liver,

Essential for blood clotting.
Prolonged
green vegetables, Helps to maintain strong bones.
bleeding
cauliflower, also
made by bacteria
that lives in
intestines.

Helps to form red blood cells,

muscles and other tissues.
For fertility.

DIETARY FIBRE
ELEMENTS
Indigestible
portion of plant
foods
Dietary fibre
absorbs water
as it moves
through the
digestive
system, easing
defecation.

EXAMPLES

Plant foods
Fruits
Vegetables
Nuts
grains

FUNCTION
Absorbs water
as it passes
through the
digestive tract,
making stools
softer and
bulkier.
Stimulates
peristalsis
Lack if it causes
constipation.