Olympiad Notes: Food and its Components | Science Olympiad Class 6 PDF Download

Introduction

• Food consumed daily for energy is termed as food.
• Different regions in India have diverse dietary preferences.
• Northern India favors chapattis, dal, and vegetables like brinjal, lady’s finger, and potatoes.
• Southern India leans towards rice, sambhar, and uttapam due to regional food availability.
• Fermented foods such as curd, idli, and dosa are also common.
• Meat, chicken, and fish dishes are part of the diet in various areas.

Component of Food

• Food consists of multiple components sourced from plants or animals.
• Essential components in food, known as nutrients, are vital for nourishment and body development.
• Nutrients serve distinct purposes in the body:
  • Energy-providing nutrients include carbohydrates and fats.
  • Proteins are vital for bodybuilding and development.
  • Vitamins contribute to the body's defense against diseases.
  • Minerals are necessary for growth and maintenance of the body.

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Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates serve as the primary food component, supplying energy in the form of glucose.
• Starch and sugar-containing foods are rich sources of carbohydrates, such as potatoes, rice, bread, fruit juices, and wheat.
• Testing for starch involves using diluted iodine solution:
  • Obtain a raw, peeled potato slice and add 2-3 drops of dilute iodine solution.
  • Observe the color change from orange to blue-black, indicating the presence of starch.

Fat

• Fat serves as an energy source for the body, often providing more energy than carbohydrates.
• However, excessive fat consumption can pose health risks like high cholesterol and heart diseases.
• Food items containing fat include ghee, cheese, butter, oil, and cream.
• Testing for the presence of fat involves a simple procedure:
  • Take a piece of butter and rub it on a piece of paper at the center.
  • Notice the appearance of an oily patch on the paper, which indicates the presence of fat.

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Protein

• Proteins are essential for building and repairing body tissues, including nails, hair, skin, muscles, and blood.
• Food sources rich in protein include eggs, meat, fish, oats, lentils (dal), almonds, milk, and yogurt.
• Testing for the presence of protein involves a specific procedure:
  • Grind the food sample finely (e.g., almonds) and place it in a clean test tube. Add 10 drops of water.
  • Use a dropper to add 2 drops of copper sulphate solution and shake the mixture thoroughly.
  • Then add 10 drops of caustic soda solution and shake the mixture well.
  • The appearance of a violet color indicates the presence of proteins in the food sample.

Vitamins

• Vitamins are essential for growth, development, and bolstering the body's immunity against diseases.
• Among the vitamins, there exists a group known as Vitamin B-complex, comprising eight distinct vitamins: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12.
• The B vitamins play a crucial role in cell metabolism, contributing significantly to various metabolic processes within the body.

Minerals

• Minerals, although required in small amounts, are indispensable components for the proper growth and maintenance of the body.
• Essential minerals crucial for bodily functions include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, and zinc.
• These minerals play vital roles in various bodily processes, contributing significantly to overall health and maintenance of bodily functions.

Balanced Diet

• The daily food intake of an individual is referred to as a diet.
• A balanced diet includes all essential nutrients in appropriate quantities required for proper body growth and maintenance.
• In addition to nutrients, a balanced diet should incorporate roughage (raw uncooked vegetables) and adequate water intake.
• The composition of a balanced diet is influenced by factors such as age and the nature of physical activity performed.
• For instance, athletes may increase carbohydrate intake for heightened energy, while older individuals may opt for easily digestible foods.
• The skins of many fruits and vegetables contain substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals.
• Over-processing vegetables, through continuous washing, boiling, or overcooking, can lead to a loss of valuable nutrients present in them.

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Obesity

• Fat contains higher energy levels compared to carbohydrates, yet excessive fat consumption leads to fat accumulation in the body.
• Obesity results from an excessive buildup of fat in the body.
• Junk food and oily food typically contain high amounts of fats, contributing to potential health issues.
• Balancing fat intake requires utilizing it as physical energy through activities and exercise.

Deficiency Diseases

• Deficiency diseases arise from prolonged lack of specific nutrients or minerals in one's diet.
• Insufficient intake can impact various aspects of health, affecting the skin, hair, face, eyes, bones, teeth, and overall growth.
• Deficiencies can involve one or multiple nutrients, leading to distinctive health issues.
• Balancing the diet helps overcome deficiencies. For instance, a deficiency in both carbohydrates and proteins can result in significant thinness and weakness in an individual.

Deficiency of vitamins is shown in table

Deficiency of minerals shown in table