Nutrition in Animals: Introduction
- Nutrition in animals: The process of taking food and its utilization by the body is called nutrition.
- Mode of nutrition: 1. Autotrophic Nutrition, 2. Heterotrophic Nutrition.
Autotrophic: Yuglina (example of autotrophs) Note: Yuglina is the link between animals and plants.
Heterotrophic: Parasites, Predators etc - Nutrients: The substances found in food are called nutrients. Basic nutrients in our food are Vitamins, Proteins, Carbohydrates, Minerals, Fats, water etc.
- Micro Nutrients: required in small amounts by our body. Examples of micro-nutrients is Minerals like Iodine, Iron and Calcium etc.
- Table: Micro-nutrients
Minerals (Micro-Nutrients) | Deficiency Disease |
Zinc (Zn) | Rough skin, Stunted growth, Lose of fertility, Weak immunity system |
Iron (Fe) | Deficiency of haemoglobin leads to anaemia, weakness |
Florine (F) | Weakness of teeth |
Iodine (I) | Goiter |
Copper (Cu) | Blood loss, weakness of connective tissue and blood vessels |
Manganese (Mn) | Irregular cartilage growth, weak bone connective tissue |
Cobalt (Cu) | Anaemia |
Chromium (Cr) | Irregular glucose production metabolism and energy |
Molybdenum (Mo) | Irregular excretion of nitrogenous substances |
Selenium (Se) | Cardiovascular disease |
- Macro Nutrients: required in large amounts by our body. An example of a macro-nutrient is Carbohydrates.
- Table: Macro-nutrients
Minerals (Macro-Nutrients) | Deficiency Disease |
Calcium (Ca) | Teeth and bones become weak |
Phosphorus (P) | Weak bones that leads to poor physiology of body |
Sulphur (S) | Irregularity in proteins metabolism |
Potassium (K) | Weak muscles, low blood pressure, risk of paralysis |
Chlorine (Cl) | Loss of appetites and muscles cramps |
Sodium (Na) | Low blood pressure, muscles cramps |
Magnesium (Mg) | Irregularity in metabolism activities leads to affect our nerves system |
Vitamins: The body’s fuel
- Some Facts about Vitamins:
The vitamin is a Carbonic Compound and helps in the regulation of Chemical reactions in our body. Funk the scientist ‘discovered’ the Vitamin and also gave the ‘word’ Vitamin. We can’t obtain energy from the vitamins. There are mainly 6 types of Vitamins: Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, and K. Out of these six vitamins only two Vitamin B and Vitamin C are Water soluble and the remaining four, Vitamin K, E, D, and A are Fat soluble. The first discovered vitamin is B1 (Thiamine). Vitamin D is synthesized by the skin and Vitamin K by the Liver.
Table: Vitamin A, C, D, E and K
Vitamin Name | Deficiency Disease | Remarks |
Vit. A (Retinol) | Night Blindness Xerophthalmia (No Tears) Dermatosis (Dry Skin in child) | Accumulated (संचित) in Liver |
Vit. C (Ascorbic Acid) | Scurvy (blood from gums) | First destroyed on heating as compared to all othes vitamis Help in the development of our body connective tissues and strengthen our immune system |
Vit. E (Tocopherol) | Weak reproductive system | Also called Beauty Vit. |
Vit. D (Calciferols) | Rickets: Child Osteomalacia: adults | |
Vit. K (Phylloquinone) | Blood doesn't clot in our body: Hemophilia |
Table: Vitamin B-complex.