The process of nutrition allows living organisms to obtain food and use it for growth, metabolism, and repair. Both plants and animals require nutrition throughout their lives. Plants can produce their own food through photosynthesis and are autotrophic. They require macronutrients like carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen, as well as micronutrients like iron and copper. Nitrogen is a vital substance that is a major component of proteins, hormones, chlorophyll, vitamins, and enzymes essential for plant life. Nitrogen metabolism also plays a major role in stem and leaf growth.