Components of Food class 6 Science NCERT Solutions

Components of Food class 6 Science NCERT Solutions: Components of Food is the chapter 2 from class 6 Science NCERT. Here you'll get Components of Food class 6 Science/Components of Food class 6 Science NCERT Solutions.

Components of Food class 6 Science Summary

The food that we eat consists of different components or nutrients. Nutrients are substances that are needed by our body for proper growth and healthy body function. There are six main components present in food, they are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and roughage or dietary fibres. These nutrients fulfill different needs of the body.

In addition, food also contains dietary fibres and water. Carbohydrates and fats mainly provide energy to our body. Proteins and minerals are needed for the growth and the maintenance of our body.

Vitamins help in protecting our body against diseases. Balanced diet provides all the nutrients that our body needs, in right quantities, along with adequate amount of roughage and water. Deficiency of one or more nutrients in our food for a long time may cause certain diseases or disorders.

Components of Food class 6 Science Notes

Carbohydrates are a source of energy. Carbohydrates are converted into energy by combining with oxygen obtained by respiration. The byproducts are water and carbon dioxide.

Protein is a body building nutrient. Proteins are important to generate new cells and to replace old and worn out cells. Hence, they play a role in growth of the body.

Protective foods are foods that contain minerals and vitamins. The minerals and vitamins in the protective food protect the body against various diseases.

Water constitutes nearly 70% of our body weight. Water helps in the absorption of nutrients in the body. The nutrients obtained from food are transported throughout the body by water. The wastes generated in cells are collected and transported by water.

Phosphorus is responsible for the formation of strong bones and muscles. It is a constituent of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule responsible for providing energy during muscle activity.

Obesity is the retention of excess of fat in the body. If excess carbohydrates are consumed, then they are converted into fat and stored in the body. Excess consumption of fats also leads to fat accumulation in the body.

Marasmus is caused by a severe deficiency of all major nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. A person suffering from marasmus has a body weight 60% below normal for that gender and age.

Vitamin A: It is necessary for normal growth and it keeps the eyes and skin healthy.
Vitamin C: It is vital for normal growth and also for the development of strong blood vessels.
Vitamin D: The body uses vitamin-D to utilise calcium for the formation of strong bones and teeth.
Vitamin K: It is important for the clotting of blood.
Calcium: Calcium is essential for the formation of healthy bones and strong teeth.
Sodium: Sodium is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system.
Potassium: Potassium is essential for normal growth and also to keep cells and blood healthy.
Iron: Iron is an important part of haemoglobin, which is the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all the cells of the body.

Individuals who are unable to consume a balanced diet and therefore do not get the required amount of nutrients from their diet suffer from deficiency diseases. Four deficiency diseases are,

Scurvy: It is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C.
Rickets: It is caused by the deficiency of vitamin D.
Anaemia: It is caused by the deficiency of iron.
Goitre: It is caused by the deficiency of iodine.

Components of Food class 6 Science Questions Answers

Q1. Name the major nutrients in our food.

Ans: The major nutrients in our food are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. In addition, food also contains dietary fibres and water.

Q2. Name the following:

(a) The nutrients which mainly give energy to our body.

Ans: The nutrients which mainly give energy to our body are carbohydrates, proteins and fats,

(b) The nutrients that are needed for the growth and maintenance of our body.

Ans: The nutrients that are required for the growth and maintenance of our body are proteins.

(c) A vitamin required for maintaining good eyesight.

Ans: Vitamin A is required for maintaining good eyesight.

(d) A mineral that is required for keeping our bones healthy.

Ans: Calcium is required for keeping our bones healthy.

NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Components of Food

Q3. Name the two foods each rich in

(a)Starch

(b)Starch

(c)Dietary fibre

(d)Protein

Ans:

(a) Butter, Groundnut.

(b) Rice, Potato.

(d) Pulses, Fish.

Q4. Tick (√) the statements that are correct.

(a) By eating rice alone, we can fulfill nutritional requirement of our body.

(b) Deficiency diseases can be prevented by eating a variety of food items.

(d) Meat alone is not sufficient to provide all nutrients to the body.

Ans:

(b) Deficiency diseases can be prevented by eating a variety of food items.√

(d) Meat alone is not sufficient to provide all nutrients to the body.√

Q5. Fill in the blanks.

(a) ——— is caused by deficiency of vitamin D.

(b) Deficiency of ————– causes a disease known as beri-beri.

(d) Night blindness is caused due to deficiency of ————– in our food.

Ans:

(a) Rickets is caused by deficiency of vitamin D.

(b) Deficiency of vitamin B1 causes a disease known as beri-beri.

(d) Night blindness is caused due to deficiency of vitamin A in our food.

Components of Food class 6 Science Extra Questions Answers

Q1. Which of these provides energy ?

(a) vitamins

(b) minerals

(d) water

Ans: carbohydrates

Q2. Iron is a

(a) mineral.

(b) fat.

(d) protein.

Ans: mineral

Q3. Which of these is the quickest source of energy ?

(a) sugars

(b) starch

(d) fats

Ans: sugars

Q4. In which vitamin would your body be most deficient if you did not eat fresh fruits and green vegetables ?

(a) vitamin A

(b) vitamin B

(d) vitamin D

Ans: vitamin C

Q5. Which mineral is necessary for the formation of strong bones and muscles ?

(a) iron

(b) calcium

(d) potassium

Ans: phosphorus

Q6. Which of these forms most of our body weight ?

(a) proteins

(b) fats

(d) water

Ans: Water

Q7. Obesity occurs due to

(a) overeating of carbohydrates and fats.

(b) not eating enough carbohydrates and fats.

(d) not eating enough vitamins and minerals.

Ans: overeating of carbohydrates and fats.

Components of Food class 6 Science Important Questions Answers

Q1. Name the two kinds of carbohydrates. Which of these provides us quick energy ?

Ans: Sugars and starch are two kinds of carbohydrates. Sugars are easier to break down and they provide us with quick energy.

Q2. Mention two cooking methods that destroy nutrients in food.

Ans: The two cooking methods that destroy nutrients in food are, Cooking food in excess water dissolves many nutrients, particularly water soluble vitamins, in the water. When the extra water is thrown away, the nutrients dissolved in the water are also lost.

Q3. What do you mean by a balanced diet ? Is it the same for everybody ?

Ans: A balanced diet is a diet which supplies all the required nutrients for the healthy functioning of the body in the proper amounts.

A balanced diet is individual specific. It cannot be the same for everybody and varies depending upon the age, gender and type of work of an individual.

Q4. Discuss the importance of roughage in our diet.

Ans: Roughage is consist of undigestible carbohydrates found in fruits and vegetables and remains undigested in the entire digestive tract from mouth to anus. The roughage serves certain important functions:

It helps the muscles of the digestive tract in the formation of stools. It prevents constipation and ensures proper bowel movement. A diet that supplies adequate roughage is thought to reduce the incidence of heart diseases, bowel cancers and irritation of the bowels.