Biology Case

Nutrient

A nutrient is a chemical that an organism needs to live and grow or a substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken in from its environment.[1] They are used to build and repair tissues, regulate body processes and are converted to and used as energy. Methods for nutrient intake vary, with animals and protists consuming foods that are digested by an internal digestive system, but most plants ingest nutrients directly from the soilthrough their roots or from the atmosphere.

Mineral

A mineral is a naturally occurring solid chemical substance formed throughbiogeochemical processes, having characteristic chemical composition, highly orderedatomic structure, and specific physical properties. By comparison, a rock is an aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids and does not have a specific chemical composition. Minerals range in composition from pure elements and simple salts to very complex silicates with thousands of known forms.[1] The study of minerals is calledmineralogy.

Interaction of biotic and abiotic environment?

Every environment has both biotic and abiotic components within them. Biotic organisms rely on many abiotic substances to be able to survive. Like water, water is not living, but yet it helps keep many organisms alive. It is a substance needed to most organisms to stay alive, as well it provides a home. Another example would be rocks. Again, they are abiotic, but can provide a shelter or home. Or for birds, are used to help keep them healthy and their systems working.

Organic nutrients include carbohydrates, fats, proteins (or their building blocks, amino acids), and vitamins. Inorganic chemical compounds such as dietary minerals, water, and oxygen may also be considered nutrients.[2] A nutrient is said to be "essential" if it must be obtained from an external source, either because the organism cannot synthesize it or produces insufficient quantities. Nutrients needed in very small amounts are micronutrients and those that are needed in larger quantities are called macronutrients. The effects of nutrients are dose-dependent and shortages are called deficiencies.[3]

See healthy diet for more information on the role of nutrients in human nutrition.

Contents [hide]

1 Types of nutrient

1.1 Substances that provide energy

1.2 Substances that support metabolism

2 Essential and non-essential nutrients

3 Deficiencies and toxicity

4 References

5 See also

[edit]Types of nutrient

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