Food and Nutrition in GCSE Biology

Nutrition

The process by which living organisms take in and use food.

Balanced Diet

Provides all the essential nutrients in the correct proportions to maintain health and support growth, repair, and energy production.

Carbohydrates elements

Made of the elements: carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O).

Proteins elements

Made of: carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and sometimes sulfur (S).

Lipids elements

Made of: carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O).

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars like glucose that make up carbohydrates.

Polysaccharides

Multiple sugars that combine to form starch (in plants) or glycogen (in animals), used for energy storage.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins linked by peptide bonds.

Glycerol

A molecule that combines with 3 fatty acids to form lipids.

Dietary Fibre

Non-digestible plant material that aids movement of food through the digestive tract and prevents constipation.

Vitamins

Needed in small amounts for various metabolic processes.

Mineral Ions

Important for bone health, blood production, and enzyme function.

Water

Essential for all chemical reactions, transport, and temperature regulation.

Energy Requirements

The amount of energy required by an individual depends on factors such as activity level, age, and pregnancy.

Vitamin A

Helps maintain healthy vision, skin, and immune system.

Vitamin C

Helps in wound healing, iron absorption, and maintaining healthy skin and gums.

Vitamin D

Helps in calcium absorption, bone and teeth health.

Calcium

Needed for strong bones and teeth, and blood clotting.

Iron

Needed to make haemoglobin in red blood cells for oxygen transport.

Sources of Carbohydrates

Rice, bread, pasta, potatoes, fruit.

Sources of Proteins

Meat, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes.

Sources of Lipids

Oils, butter, nuts, oily fish.

Sources of Vitamin A

Liver, carrots, dark green leafy vegetables.

Sources of Vitamin C

Citrus fruits, berries, peppers.

Sources of Vitamin D

Oily fish, egg yolk, sunlight.

Sources of Calcium

Milk, cheese, green vegetables.

Sources of Iron

Red meat, liver, spinach.

Sources of Water

Drinks, fruits, vegetables.

Sources of Dietary Fibre

Whole grains, fruit skins, vegetables.