NUTRIENTS

Nutrients Living matter is made of cells, but

what are cells made of?

Cells are made of molecules based on

based on 4 main chemical elements:

carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and

hydrogen (plus lots of other elements)

and the many compounds that can be

made from combining these elements.

Organic and Inorganic

Compounds All living things are made up of

compounds that are classified as:

Organic

Inorganic

Rocks and other nonliving things

contain inorganic compounds.

Organic compounds are more related

to living things: carbon and hydrogen.

Organic and Inorganic

Compounds Even though organic compound are

more related to living things, some

nonliving things, there are some

exceptions.

Coal is a nonliving thing that contains

organic compounds.

Why? It was formed from dead and

decaying plants, which are living things.

Organic Compounds

Carbohydrates

Fats or Lipids

Proteins

Vitamins

Carbohydrates

Made up of hydrogen, carbon and

oxygen.

They are organic molecules that

supply energy for cell processes.

It is the main source (and quickest

form) of energy for all cellular

functions.

Carbohydrates Classification

Simple or Monosaccharides

Glucose, Sucrose and Fructose (all fruits, dairy

products, honey,

Complex or Disaccharides/Polysaccharides.

Starch and Fibers (bread, pastas, grains, beans,

lentils, and root vegetable like potatoes).

More examples: coke, cakes, candies, sauces.

Carbohydrates Animals and humans store excess glucose in the

form of glycogen in the liver and muscles.

Between meals the liver breaks down glycogen

to glucose and releases it into the blood stream

to supply glucose to cells in need.

If people consume more carbohydrates than

they need at the time, the body stores some of

these carbohydrates within cells (as glycogen)

and converts the rest to fat.

Fats or Lipids Made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and

phosphorus.

A lot of lipids function as long-term energy

storage. Lipids do not mix with water.

They store and release even larger

amounts of energy than carbohydrates do.

The body needs fats for grow and energy.

Fats or Lipids One gram of fat stores more than twice as

much energy as one gram of

carbohydrates.

Lipids consist of glycerol and fatty acids.

Classification

Saturated: Meat, butter, cheese, oil.

Unsaturated: avocado, olive, peanut, corn,

sunflower, etc.

Fats or Lipids One gram of fat stores more than twice as

much energy as one gram of

carbohydrates.

Lipids consist of glycerol and fatty acids.

Classification

Saturated: Meat, butter, cheese, oil.

Unsaturated: avocado, olive, peanut, corn,

sunflower, etc.

Proteins Proteins are composed of carbon, oxygen,

hydrogen, nitrogen and sometimes sulfur.

The building blocks of proteins are

aminoacids. There are 20 different.

Proteins are the building blocks of many

structures in organisms.

Muscles contains larger amounts of

proteins.

Proteins Proteins provide the basic structure for the

muscles, bones, hair, skin, cartilages and

circulatory system.

Classification:

Simple: sufficient amounts of all the

essential amino acids. Meat, eggs, fish, etc.

Conjugated: some of the essential amino

acid. Example: beans, rice, nuts, etc.

Vitamins Vitamins are organic compounds required

as nutrients, in tiny amounts by an

organism.

Our body needs them in order to grow

properly, so we can grow and develop.

Vitamins Vitamin A – carrots – see at night

Vitamin B – green vegetables - energy

Vitamin C – oranges – heal cuts / flu

Vitamin D – bones - milk

Vitamin E – tissues (eyes, skin) - grains

Minerals The same as vitamins, our body needs

them in order to grow properly, so we can

grow and develop.

Classification:

Macro minerals: our body needs larger

amounts. Calcium, phosphorus, sodium,

potassium, magnesium and sulfur.

Trace minerals: iron, manganese, copper,

zinc, cobalt, fluoride, and iodine.

Minerals Calcium – milk, cheese, yogurt, salmon

and broccoli.

Zinc – beef, pork, lamb.

Potassium – bananas and tomatoes