Food and Nutrition
Food provides the energy and nutrients that living organisms need to function, grow, and repair themselves. Understanding macronutrients and micronutrients helps explain how diet affects health.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
The three macronutrients are carbohydrates (energy), proteins (growth and repair), and fats (energy storage and insulation)
Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals needed in small amounts for specific body functions
Digestion breaks down food into molecules small enough to be absorbed into the bloodstream
A balanced diet contains the right proportions of all nutrients for health
Key Vocabulary
Macronutrient
A nutrient required in large amounts: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
Micronutrient
A nutrient required in small amounts: vitamins and minerals
Digestion
The process of breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body
Metabolism
All the chemical reactions in the body that convert food into energy and building materials
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
Which macronutrient is the body's primary source of energy?
Question 2
What is the main function of protein in the body?
Question 3
What happens to food molecules during digestion?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●The three macronutrients are carbohydrates (energy), proteins (growth and repair), and fats (energy storage and insulation)
- ●Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals needed in small amounts for specific body functions
- ●Digestion breaks down food into molecules small enough to be absorbed into the bloodstream
- ●A balanced diet contains the right proportions of all nutrients for health