Chapter 2 Components of Food Class 6 NCERT Science book solution

1. Introduction to Food and Its Components

Food is needed for growth and development, besides giving us energy.

Different foods provide different nutrients.

The main constituents or nutrients present in the food are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Water and dietary fibers are also very vital for the human body.

CONTENTS

2. Major Nutrients in Food

Carbohydrates:  Provide energy to the body. Sources include rice, wheat, bread, and sugar.

Proteins:  Help in body-building and repairing tissues. Sources include milk, pulses, eggs, fish, and meat.

Fats:  Provide more energy than carbohydrates. Sources include butter, oil, and nuts.

Vitamins:  Protect the body from diseases and help in maintaining good health. Important vitamins include.

Vitamin A:  Good for eyes. Sources: Carrots, spinach, and milk.

 Vitamin C: Keeps your gums healthy, heals wounds. Oranges, amla, guava.

 Vitamin D:  It helps the body use calcium for bones and teeth. Milk, sunlight.

 Vitamin B-complex and Vitamin E: These vitamins also help the body in many functions

Minerals

These minerals help in proper body functions. Important minerals include the following

Calcium:  To build strong bones and teeth. Sources: Milk, leafy vegetables.

Iron: To make blood. Sources: Spinach, meat.

 3. Balanced Diet

 A balanced diet contains all the nutrients in proper amounts with fiber and water.

 A balanced diet gives energy to the body and helps in growth and keeps the body healthy.

 4. Deficiency Diseases

Lack of nutrients for a long time leads to deficiency diseases.

Some examples are:

  Protein Deficiency:  Diseases due to such deficiency include "Kwashiorkor" and "Marasmus"

 Vitamin A Deficiency:  Night blindness occurs

Vitamin C Deficiency:  Scurvy is the name of the disease where gums start bleeding

Vitamin D Deficiency:  Rickets is a disease where one has weak bones

Iron Deficiency:  Anaemia is the disease which causes low energy and weakness .

 5.Test for Nutrients

There are simple tests to find out the presence of nutrients:

 Carbohydrates (Starch Test):  Use iodine solution. Blue-black color indicates starch.

 Proteins Test:  Add copper sulphate and caustic soda; violet color confirms proteins.

Fats Test:  Rub food on paper; translucent spot shows fats.

Conclusion

Eating different types of food ensures that there is supply of all nutrients in the body.

A balanced diet will help in preventing deficiency diseases.

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