Vitamins Minerals &

Nutrients - Study
Notes

Biology

Copyright © 2014-2023 TestBook Edu Solutions Pvt. Ltd.: All rights reserved
 Download Testbook App

Nutrients

The substances that are necessary for the conduction of various types of biological
functions in organisms are called nutrients. Nutrition is called the acquisition of all the
nutrients required for the growth, development, and maintenance of the organisms and
running all the functions smoothly.

Food can be mainly divided into three classes:

1. Energy - providing foods

2. Body building foods

3. Foods with anti-potency

SUBJECT | Biology 1 of 12
 Download Testbook App

Types of Nutrients

According to the health department of Australia, there are six major nutrients that the
body needs to function properly.

1. Carbohydrates (CHO)

2. Lipids (fats)

3. Proteins

4. Vitamins

5. Minerals

6. Water

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are a class of energy-giving substances.

Its chemical compounds are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates are organic
compounds that after digestion are converted into glucose and glucose is oxygenated by
oxygen and provides energy to the body.

Sources of carbohydrates: wheat, rice, corn, oats, sugar, jaggery, dry fruits, milk, potato,
sweet potatoes, meat, banana, juicy fruits, etc.

SUBJECT | Biology 2 of 12
 Download Testbook App

Types of Carbohydrates

1. Monosaccharides

Triose

Tetrose

Hexose

2. Disaccharides

3. Polysaccharides

Monosaccharides Carbohydrates: these are the simplest form of carbohydrate, which

cannot be hydrolyzed or broken down into smaller carbohydrates.

Disaccharides Carbohydrates: disaccharides in human nutrition are sucrose, lactose, and

maltose.

Polysaccharides Carbohydrates: most abundant carbohydrates in the food. It is formed

by the mixing of several monosaccharide molecules. They are insoluble in water. Starch,
glycogen cellulose, chitin, etc. are examples of polysaccharides.

Functions of Carbohydrates:

SUBJECT | Biology 3 of 12
 Download Testbook App

1. It is the main source of energy for the body.

2. They act as fuel accumulated in the form of starch.

3. It works by converting fat into accumulated food.

4. It is a component of DNA and RNA.

5. It helps to save protein for bodybuilding activities.

Disorders Caused by Deficiency or Excess of Carbohydrates

1. Excess carbohydrates increase the likelihood of obesity-related diseases.

2. Lack of carbohydrates reduces body weight and reduces the ability to work.

Proteins

Protein is a highly complex nitrogen-containing substance composed of various

associations of about 20 amino acids. The term protein was first used by J. Berzilian
(1938). Protein is not only the structural substance of the human body but also performs
other functions. About 15% of the human body is made up of protein.

SUBJECT | Biology 4 of 12
 Download Testbook App

Types of Proteins:

Simple Protein

Conjugated Protein

Derived Protein

Simple Protein: it is made up of only Amino acids. E.g., albumins, globulins, glutelins,
albuminoids, histones, and protamines.

Conjugated Protein: interaction with other chemical groups. E.g., nucleoproteins,

glycoproteins, phosphoproteins, hemoglobin, and lipoproteins.

Derived Protein: derived from partial aqueous decomposition of natural proteins.

Functions of Protein
It promotes the growth and repair of cells.

Some protein participates in the synthesis of hormones.

Many complex proteins act as enzymes in metabolic processes.

Protects the body in the form of antibodies.

SUBJECT | Biology 5 of 12
 Download Testbook App

Sources of protein - egg, milk, almonds, pulses, fish, meat, cheese, etc.

Fats

It is the main food that provides energy to the body. It is made up of a combination of
glycerol and fatty acid. It can be emulsified by alkali.

Types of Fats

1. Animal Fats

2. Vegetable Fats

SUBJECT | Biology 6 of 12
 Download Testbook App

Animal Fats: it can be categorized as milk fats, rendered fats, and fish oils.

Vegetable Fats: these are two types Monounsaturated fat and Polyunsaturated fat.

Sources of fats- milk, cheese, egg, fish, peanuts, coconut oil, etc.

Functions of Fats:

1. Provides energy to the body in a solid way.

2. This prevents the body's heat from accumulating under the skin

3. This increases the flavor of foods.

4. It prevents injury to various body parts.

Disorders caused by lack of fats

1. It makes the human body's skin dry

2. There is a loss in weight

3. Growth of the body is blocked.

Excess of fats

SUBJECT | Biology 7 of 12
 Download Testbook App

1. Heart disease and high blood pressure occur.

Vitamins

The term vitamin was first used by C. Funk in 1911. Organic matter is required in small
amounts in the human body. Vitamins are obtained from foods and lack of this causes
some diseases.

Types of Vitamins:

Water Soluble Vitamins (VIT B & C)

Fats Soluble Vitamins (VIT A, D, E & K)

Vitamins Disease Occur Sources

Vit A (Retinol) Night blindness carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach

Its deficiency in the

Vit. B1 (Thymine) body causes beriberi whole grains, meat, and fish
disease

eggs, organ meats (kidneys and

Vit. B2 (Riboflavin) Lack of body weight
liver), lean meats, and milk

SUBJECT | Biology 8 of 12
 Download Testbook App

Due to its deficiency,

yeast, meat, poultry, red fish cereals,
Vit. B3 (Niacin) there is a disease
legumes, and seeds.
pellagra cause.

Vit. B6 (Pyridoxine) Anemia occurs some fish, peanuts, soya beans.

Vegetables, cereals, nuts such as

Weakness and loss of
Vit. B7 (Biotin) almonds, walnuts, peanuts, yeast,
appetite
and soybeans

Green leafy vegetables, beans, lentils,

Vit. B9 (Folic acid) Anemia occurs asparagus, wheat germ, yeast,
peanuts, oranges, and strawberries

Vit. B12
Anemia occurs Meat, poultry, fish.
(Cyanocobalamin)

Vit. C (Ascorbic in citrus fruit, such as oranges and

Scurvy occurs
acid) lemons, gooseberry

Causes rickets,
Vit. D (Calciferol) sunlight
Osteomalacia

Wheat germ oil, Sunflower, safflower,

Vit. E (Tocopherol) Fertility decrease and soybean oil. Sunflower seeds,
Almonds. Peanuts, peanut butter.

Blood clots do not

Vit. K (Piloquilone) leafy green vegetables
form

SUBJECT | Biology 9 of 12
 Download Testbook App

Functions of Vitamins:

Vitamins are essential in metabolic activity.

They are related to the breakdown of carbohydrates, protein, and fats in the body.

They release energy, CO2, and water as the end products of metabolism.

Minerals

Mineral salts are inorganic substances. At least 29 elements are found in the human
body.

Sodium
Helpful in controlling blood pressure. Transmission of nerve impulses in the nervous
system. The main sources are common salt, fish, milk, eggs, etc.

Potassium
Maintaining the electrolyte balance in the body

Calcium
It combines bones and teeth with it. D.

SUBJECT | Biology 10 of 12
 Download Testbook App

The main sources are milk, fish, grains, etc.

Phosphorus
Important for the development of bones

Iron
Anemia deficiency occurs.

The main sources are grams, spinach, etc.

Iodine
Its deficiency causes goiter disease

The main sources are iodine salt, vegetables, etc.

Water

Water is an important part of the human body. About 65 to 75% of the human body
weight is water. Dehydration can lead to the death of the human being. Water regulates
human body temperature by heat and vapor. Generally, an adult person should drink 4 to
5 liters of water per day.

Facts

SUBJECT | Biology 11 of 12
 Download Testbook App

1. Foods that are rich in antioxidants are found in vitamins A, C, E, and selenium-rich foods.

2. Vitamins and Minerals have no calories.

3. An adult person needs about 20mg of iron in one day.

4. Normally, the average young person doing a normal job needs 3000 to 3500 calories of
energy-producing food.

SUBJECT | Biology 12 of 12