bio co4.2

• Digestion and nutrition are the focus of this study material
• Autotroph


  Organisms that can produce their own food using simple inorganic substances, typically through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis
• Heterotroph


  Organisms that cannot produce their own food and rely on consuming other organisms or organic matter to obtain energy and nutrients
• Photosynthesis


  Carbon dioxide + water + light energy -> Glucose + Oxygen
• Photosynthesis


  • Occurs in chloroplasts
  • Chlorophyll captures light energy
• Chemosynthesis


  Process where certain bacteria use chemical energy from inorganic compounds to synthesize organic molecules, in environments devoid of sunlight
• Digestion


  Process by which the body breaks down food into smaller, absorbable components that can be used for energy, growth, and repair
• Plant nutritional strategies


  • Root absorption
  • Transport via xylem and phloem
  • Assimilation of nutrients
• Root absorption


  • Root hairs increase surface area
  • Diffusion of some minerals
  • Active transport of other minerals

  
• Transport in plants


  • Xylem transports water and minerals upward
  • Phloem transports organic compounds bidirectionally

  
• Assimilation in plants


  • Carbon assimilation (photosynthesis)
  • Nitrogen assimilation
  • Sulfur assimilation
  • Assimilation of other nutrients
  • Metabolic pathways
• Macronutrients required by plants

  • Carbon
  • Hydrogen
  • Oxygen
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Nitrogen
  • Sulfur
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
• Macronutrients are essential elements required by plants in relatively large quantities for their growth, development, and metabolic processes
• Micronutrients are also required by plants, but in smaller quantities
• Nitrogen (N)


  Crucial component of amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, chlorophyll, and other important molecules in plants. Primarily obtained from the soil in the form of nitrate (NO3-) or ammonium (NH4+), and assimilated into organic compounds through various enzymatic reactions. Essential for plant growth, photosynthesis, protein synthesis, and overall plant development.
• Sulfur (S)


  Integral to amino acids like cysteine and methionine, crucial for building proteins, enzymes, and other vital molecules. Necessary for synthesizing chlorophyll, essential vitamins, and coenzymes needed for metabolic pathways.
• Calcium (Ca)


  Contributes to the strength and structure of plant cell walls by forming cross-links between pectin molecules. Regulates numerous cellular processes, including growth and response to stress, by acting as signaling molecules.
• Magnesium (Mg)


  Central component of chlorophyll, necessary for capturing light energy during photosynthesis. Acts as a cofactor for many enzymes involved in essential metabolic processes like photosynthesis and nucleic acid metabolism. Required for respiration, where it serves as an electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, releasing energy for ATP production.
• Oxygen


  Component of organic molecules and involved in oxidation-reduction reactions in plant metabolism.
• Micronutrients are essential elements required by plants in smaller quantities compared to macronutrients, but they are equally important for plant growth, development, and overall health.
• Iron (Fe)


  Critical component of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for capturing light energy during photosynthesis. Involved in electron transport chain reactions within chloroplasts and mitochondria, facilitating energy production. Essential for the synthesis of various enzymes involved in metabolic pathways, including nitrogen fixation and respiration.
• Boron (B)


  Involved in the formation and stability of cell walls, pollen tube elongation, and membrane integrity. Plays a role in the uptake and utilization of calcium by plants and is involved in the regulation of plant hormones. Essential for the translocation of sugars and the development of reproductive structures in plants.
• Manganese (Mn)


  Essential for photosynthesis, as it plays a role in the water-splitting reaction of photosystem II. Acts as a cofactor for enzymes involved in antioxidant defense, lignin synthesis, and the metabolism of carbohydrates and nitrogen. Plays a role in the activation of certain enzymes involved in lipid metabolism and the detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
• Copper (Cu)


  Cofactor for enzymes involved in various metabolic processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, and lignin synthesis. Plays a role in electron transport and the reduction of molecular oxygen during respiration and photosynthesis. Essential for the formation of lignin, a component of cell walls that provides structural support to plant tissues.
• Zinc (Zn)


  Cofactor for numerous enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, protein synthesis, and auxin (plant hormone) regulation. Plays a crucial role in DNA and RNA synthesis, cell division, and root development. Involved in the synthesis of certain proteins and enzymes required for stress response mechanisms in plants.
• Chlorine (Cl)


  Involved in the regulation of stomatal opening and closing, water balance, and photosynthesis. Plays a role in maintaining osmotic balance, ion uptake, and nutrient transport within plant cells. Involved in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the synthesis of certain organic compounds in plants.
• Molybdenum (Mo)


  Required for the activity of enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism, particularly in the conversion of nitrate to ammonia during nitrogen assimilation. Involved in the synthesis of certain amino acids, such as methionine, and the metabolism of sulfur-containing compounds. Plays a role in the activation of enzymes involved in the metabolism of purines and pyrimidines.
• Hydroponics


  A method of growing plants without soil, where plant roots are submerged in a nutrient-rich water solution. Provides an efficient and controlled environment for plant growth, offering several advantages over traditional soil-based cultivation methods.
• Testing for nutrient deficiencies in hydroponics

  1. Omit a particular mineral from the liquid medium and observe the effect on plant growth

  2. If there is normal growth, the suspected nutrient is not essential

  3. If there is abnormal growth, the suspected nutrient is essential
• Rhizobia


  A group of soil bacteria that form symbiotic relationships with certain plants, particularly legumes. They have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into a form that plants can use for their growth and development.
• Rhizobia-plant symbiosis


  1. Infection and nodule formation

  2. Nitrogen fixation

  3. Nutrient exchange

  4. Mutualistic relationship
• Mycorrhizae


  Symbiotic associations between certain fungi and the roots of plants. Play a crucial role in plant nutrition, growth, and overall ecosystem health.
• Mycorrhizal symbiosis


  1. Fungal colonization

  2. Nutrient exchange

  3. Phosphorus and nitrogen uptake
• Carnivorous plants


  Plants that have evolved special adaptations to capture, trap, and digest prey, usually small insects and other arthropods. Supplement their diet by consuming prey in nutrient-poor environments.
• Animal digestion and nutrition

  Processes by which animals acquire, process, and utilize nutrients from their food to support growth, energy production, and various physiological functions.
• Animal digestion and nutrition

  1. Ingestion

  2. Digestion (mechanical and chemical)

  3. Absorption

  4. Transport

  5. Assimilation and utilization
• Complete digestive tract


  Also known as a "tube-within-a-tube" digestive system.

  Consists of a continuous, specialized digestive tube that runs from the mouth to the anus.

  Involves separate openings for ingestion (mouth) and elimination of waste (anus).

  Digestive organs are organized into regions.

  Found in most vertebrates.

  
• Incomplete digestive tract


  Also known as a "sac-like" or "blind-gut" digestive system.

  Lacks a separate opening for waste elimination.

  Typically consists of a single chamber or sac-like structure that serves as both the site of ingestion and digestion.

  Food is digested and absorbed within the same chamber, often with limited specialization of digestive regions.

  Found in many invertebrates, including cnidarians (e.g., jellyfish, sea anemones), flatworms (e.g., planarians), and some simpler organisms.

  
• Absorption of Nutrients

  • Carbohydrates
  • Proteins
  • Fats
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals

  these enter the lining of the digestive track (small intestine) to the bloodstream
• Transport


  Nutrients are transported via the bloodstream to cells throughout the body