LESSON 3: ANIMAL AND PLANT NUTRITION

• Autotrophs


  Organisms that make their own food
• Heterotrophs


  Organisms that have to eat, or consume food
• Nutrition


  The study of nutrients in food, how the body uses them, and the relationship between diet, health, and disease
• Nutrition


  The biochemical and physiological process by which an organism uses food to support its life
• Macronutrients


  • Materials needed by plants in larger amounts
• Micronutrients


  • Materials needed by plants in small amounts
• Phosphorus


  • Needed for the synthesis of nucleic acids and phospholipids for the cell membrane of plant cell
  • Encourages root formation and growth
  • Increases quality of seed, fruit, and flower production
  • Increases disease resistance
• Nitrogen


  • Easily leaves the soil
  • Mobile in plant, moving to new growth
• Potassium


  • Important in the regulation of stomatal and closing through the potassium ion pump
  • Helps plants overcome drought stress
  • Improves winter hardiness
  • Increases disease resistance
  • Improves the strength of stem
• Other macronutrients


  • Hydrogen
  • Oxygen
  • Carbon
  • Sulfur
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
• Hydrogen and oxygen


  Usually needed in the form of water and oxygen gas. Water and oxygen are both necessary for photosynthesis and cellular respiration
• Carbon


  Needed to form carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and other relevant compounds
• Sulfur


  Considered as a macromolecule since it is a common component of some amino acids like cysteine and methionine
• Calcium


  Regulates nutrient transport and at the same time supports many enzyme functions
• Magnesium


  Together with other micronutrients, essential for maintaining the plant's ionic balance
• Micronutrients


  • Boron
  • Chlorine
  • Copper
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • Molybdenum
  • Zinc
• Boron


  Relevant in carbohydrate transport in plants. Also important in assisting metabolic regulation. Plants lacking boron often experience bud dieback
• Chlorine


  Needed for osmosis and ionic balance in plants
• Copper


  Important component of some enzymes. Copper deficiency can lead to browning of leaf and yellowing of the leaves
• Iron


  Needed for chlorophyll synthesis
• Manganese


  Needed for the activation of enzymes needed for chlorophyll formation
• Molybdenum


  Needed for transforming nitrates into usable forms. This is needed for nitrogen fixation
• Zinc


  Participates in chlorophyll formation and at the same time, needed for the activation of many enzymes
• Nutritional requirements of animals

  • Carbohydrates
  • Proteins
  • Lipids
  • Minerals
  • Vitamins
• Carbohydrates


  • Serve as the primary energy source in the cells of animals
  • Cells use glucose as the primary carbohydrate that is oxidized during respiration
  • Being consumers, they cannot produce their own carbohydrates, unlike plants
  • Carbohydrates also serve other functions such as in structural and signalling molecules
  • Cellulose is a carbohydrate found in plant-based diet of various animals
  • Due to the type of glycosidic linkages in cellulose, some animals cannot digest it
  • Termites and ruminants have protozoa and bacteria in their gut that can digest cellulose
  • Humans cannot digest cellulose. However, it is a component of our dietary fiber
• Proteins


  • Essential biomolecules needed for tissue growth and repair
  • They are digested to provide essential amino acids that animals cannot produce
  • They are integral components of cytoplasm and membranes of cells and organelles
  • They are integral components of almost all of the enzymes in the animal body
• Lipids


  • Essential nutrients that make up most of the membranes of cells
  • They are digested to provide essential amino acids that animals cannot produce
  • These biomolecules are also essential in the synthesis of the myelin of nerve fibers
  • They are integral components of almost all of the enzymes in the animal body
• Important minerals


  • Phosphorus
  • Sulfur
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc
• Vitamins


  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin K
• Vitamin A


  Effective in the treatment of eye disorders and skin infections; needed for the growth of bones and tooth
• Vitamin B6


  A crucial component of an enzyme; needed for red blood cell production; thus it relieves anemia
• Vitamin B12


  Crucial enzyme component for cellular reproduction; improves nerve function
• Vitamin C


  Crucial enzyme component for protein metabolism; improves immunity; acts as an antioxidant
• Vitamin D


  Aids in the absorption of calcium in the digestive tract
• Vitamin E


  With antioxidant functions
• Vitamin K


  Reduces menstrual pain and internal bleeding; blood clotting
•  NITROGEN GREENS UP PLANTS

  PHOSPHORUS REACHES DOWN TO THE ROOTS

  POTASSIUM PROMOTES ALL AROUND WELL-BEING