Notes on General Biology

NUTRITION AND DIET
The green plants and a few types of bacteria which are completely self supporting are called autotrophs.
This mode of nutrition in green plants is achieved mainly by the process of photosynthesis.
All animals including men and non-green plants show heterotrophic mode of nutrition.
Hetrotrophs obtain all their energy requirements mainly from organic substances like carbohydrates and fats.

FOOD
Energy yielding food: Carbohydrates and fats
Body building food: Protein and Minerals
Protective food: Vitamins and minerals

Carbohydrates:
One Gram of carbohydrate provides 4.1 Cal.
Manufactured by green plants cia photosynthesis.
Lever converts carbohydrates into glycogen and stores in itself and muscles.
Gycogen is known as animal starch as it is not produced in plants.
Excess carbohydrates is converted to fats.

Fats:
One gram of fat provides 9.3 calories of energy.
Stored as future foods.

Proteins
There are made of amino acids which are the only source of nitrogen in the body.
Amino Acids were discovered by William Rash of USA
One gram of protein provides 4.1 calories.
Proteins are raw material for manufacturing of Hormones, enzymes, antibodies etc.

Minerals:
Vitamins and Minerals are called micronutrients while protein, carbohydrates and fats are called macronutrients.
Ca and P form about ¾ of minerals.
Phosphorous: Metabolism
K and Mg: Muscle Contraction
Na and K: Propagation of nerve impulse and for water balance of the body.
Iron: Raw material for RBC
Iodine: thyroid Glands functioning

Mineral Deficiency Diseases
Anemia: Iron deficiency
Rickets : Calcium
Goiter: Deficiency of Iodine.

Water:
An average man contains about 45 litre of water which is 70% of body weight.

Vitamin:
Funk for the first time used the word Vitamin.
Vitamin A, D, E, K:- Fat soluble
Vitamin B and C:- Water soluble

Vitamin (A) (Retinol) :
Sources: Cod lever oil, egg yolk, yellow vegetables.
Deficiency symptoms: Night Blindness, Xerophthalmia.

Vitamin (B) ( Thiamine):
Sources: Grains, meats, green vegetable.
Deficiency symptoms: Beriberi

Vitamin (C) ( Ascorbic acid):
Sources: Citrus fruits.
Deficiency symptoms: Scurvy (Spongy Gums)

Vitamin (D) ( Calcipherol):
Sources: Animal oil and U-V Rays.
Deficiency symptoms: Rickets, Osteomalacia.

Vitamin (E) ( Tocopherol):
Sources: Unpolished grain, animal and vegetable oil and wheat.
Deficiency symptoms: Muscular Paralysis.

Vitamin (K) ( Kgluation or Coagulation):
Sources: Leafy vegetables.
Deficiency symptoms: Improper coagulation of blood,
Lathyrism: Caused by a neurotoxin, found in Kesri Dal