2. STATION 22: Nutrition
Nutrition is the process by which organisms obtain and utilize their food.
We need food for
cellular utilization:
Ø Nutrients as
building blocks
for synthesis
Ø Sugars, etc, to
break down for
energy
Most food that we eat cannot be
directly used by the body:
Ø Too large and complex to be
absorbed
Ø Chemical composition must be
modified to be useable by cells
A nutrient is a substance used by the body
for growth, maintenance, and repair.
3. STATION 22: Nutrition
There are two categories of nutrients.
1. Micronutrients:
• Vitamins – required for growth and proper functioning of the body;
does not yield energy (7>-;>-<>-?>-#> @AB-90/.),C2/0(&'>-5/)(&$*'
0*2 40(' 3)6:2 .& 6'&:&'' 3$(,)6( D$(0=$*'"""=)'( D$(0=$*' 09(
3$(, &*EC=&'"
• Minerals – an element found in food that is used by the body for
normal functioning and development (<0>-F>-@>-G>-H0>-<:> 8%A"
• Water
4. STATION 22: Nutrition
There are two categories of nutrients:
2. Macronutrients:
• Proteins – broken down to amino acids, which are used to build or
repair new cells (such as bone, muscle, and nerve tissue).
• Lipids – broken down into fatty acids or cholesterol which aid in
hormone production and vitamin absorption. Excess are stored as fat
in adipose tissue.
• Carbohydrates – broken down into simple sugars (glucose); glucose
is absorbed through the intestine and used by your cells for energy.
Excess is stored as glycogen.
