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Components of Food – Class 6 Science Notes

Food is essential for life. It provides us with the energy to do work, helps in growth and repair of our body, and protects us from diseases. Different kinds of foods contain different nutrients. In this chapter, we will learn about the main components of food, their functions, sources, and importance.

Class 6 Science Chapter 2 Components of Food Notes and Questions Answers | NCERT Solutions with MCQ, Short & Long Questions
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Major Nutrients in Food

There are five major nutrients in our food: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, and Minerals. Along with these, water and roughage (dietary fibre) are also important for proper functioning of the body.

1. Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy. They are often called energy-giving foods. Sources include rice, wheat, maize, sugar, potato, bread, and fruits like banana and mango. Carbohydrates are present in the form of starch and sugar. Excess carbohydrates get stored as fat in the body.

2. Proteins

Proteins are called body-building foods. They help in growth and repair of body tissues. They are especially important for growing children and for healing wounds. Sources include milk, eggs, pulses, beans, meat, and fish. Lack of proteins can cause diseases like kwashiorkor and marasmus.

3. Fats

Fats are also energy-giving foods but they provide double the energy compared to carbohydrates. They help in keeping our body warm and protect delicate organs. Sources include oil, ghee, butter, nuts, and seeds. However, too much fat can lead to obesity and heart problems.

4. Vitamins

Vitamins are protective foods. They are required in small quantities but are very important for good health. Vitamins protect us from diseases and help in proper functioning of the body. Important vitamins are:

  • Vitamin A – good for eyes and skin (carrot, spinach, milk, papaya).
  • Vitamin B – important for growth and healthy skin (cereals, eggs, green vegetables).
  • Vitamin C – protects against scurvy, improves immunity (citrus fruits, amla, guava, tomato).
  • Vitamin D – helps in absorption of calcium, keeps bones strong (sunlight, milk, fish liver oil).

5. Minerals

Minerals are also required in small amounts but are essential for different body functions.

  • Calcium – for strong bones and teeth (milk, curd, green leafy vegetables).
  • Iron – for formation of blood (spinach, jaggery, liver, apple).
  • Iodine – prevents goitre (iodized salt, seafood).
  • Phosphorus – for strong bones and teeth (milk, pulses, nuts).

6. Water

Water is very important for life. It makes up about 70% of our body weight. It helps in digestion, absorption, transport of nutrients, excretion of waste, and regulating body temperature.

7. Roughage (Dietary Fibre)

Roughage does not provide nutrients but is essential for easy movement of food in the digestive system and preventing constipation. Sources are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Balanced Diet

A diet that contains all nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals) in the right amount along with water and roughage is called a balanced diet. A balanced diet is necessary to stay healthy and active.

Deficiency Diseases

Lack of essential nutrients in the diet for a long time causes deficiency diseases:

  • Lack of Vitamin A → Night blindness
  • Lack of Vitamin B1 → Beriberi
  • Lack of Vitamin C → Scurvy
  • Lack of Vitamin D → Rickets
  • Lack of Iron → Anaemia
  • Lack of Iodine → Goitre
  • Lack of Proteins → Kwashiorkor, Marasmus

Components of Food – Questions and Answers

MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

  1. Which nutrient is called body-building food?
    (a) Carbohydrates
    (b) Fats
    (c) Proteins
    (d) Vitamins
    Answer: (c) Proteins
  2. Which vitamin is obtained from sunlight?
    (a) Vitamin A
    (b) Vitamin C
    (c) Vitamin D
    (d) Vitamin K
    Answer: (c) Vitamin D
  3. Lack of iron in diet causes:
    (a) Night blindness
    (b) Anaemia
    (c) Rickets
    (d) Scurvy
    Answer: (b) Anaemia
  4. Which nutrient provides instant energy?
    (a) Proteins
    (b) Carbohydrates
    (c) Fats
    (d) Minerals
    Answer: (b) Carbohydrates
  5. Goitre is caused due to deficiency of:
    (a) Calcium
    (b) Iron
    (c) Iodine
    (d) Zinc
    Answer: (c) Iodine
  6. Which vitamin prevents night blindness?
    (a) Vitamin A
    (b) Vitamin C
    (c) Vitamin D
    (d) Vitamin B
    Answer: (a) Vitamin A
  7. Which mineral is needed for strong bones and teeth?
    (a) Iron
    (b) Sodium
    (c) Calcium
    (d) Potassium
    Answer: (c) Calcium

Very Short Answer Questions

  1. Name two energy-giving foods. Answer: Rice, Wheat
  2. What is roughage? Answer: Indigestible fibre in food that helps in digestion.
  3. Which vitamin protects from scurvy? Answer: Vitamin C
  4. Name one food rich in protein. Answer: Pulses
  5. What is a balanced diet? Answer: A diet containing all nutrients in right amounts.
  6. Which mineral prevents goitre? Answer: Iodine
  7. Which nutrient helps to heal wounds? Answer: Proteins

Short Answer Questions

  1. Why are carbohydrates called energy-giving foods?
    Answer: Carbohydrates provide energy for all activities. They are the main fuel of our body.
  2. What are deficiency diseases? Give examples.
    Answer: Diseases caused by lack of nutrients in the diet. Examples: Night blindness, Anaemia, Rickets.
  3. Write sources of Vitamin D.
    Answer: Sunlight, Milk, Fish liver oil.
  4. How does water help our body?
    Answer: Helps in digestion, absorption, excretion, and regulates body temperature.
  5. Why is roughage important?
    Answer: It adds bulk to food, helps in bowel movement, and prevents constipation.
  6. List two foods rich in fat.
    Answer: Butter, Nuts
  7. Name two diseases caused by lack of proteins.
    Answer: Kwashiorkor and Marasmus

Long Answer Questions

  1. Explain the role of proteins in our body. Give two sources.
    Answer: Proteins are body-building foods. They help in growth and repair of body tissues and healing of wounds. Sources: Pulses, Eggs, Fish.
  2. What is a balanced diet? Write its importance.
    Answer: A balanced diet is one that contains all nutrients in correct proportion along with water and roughage. It keeps us healthy, protects from diseases, and gives energy for daily work.
  3. Describe the functions and sources of carbohydrates and fats.
    Answer: Carbohydrates provide energy. Sources: Rice, Wheat, Sugar. Fats provide double energy, help in warmth and protection of organs. Sources: Oil, Ghee, Nuts.
  4. Write short notes on deficiency diseases caused by vitamins.
    Answer: Vitamin A deficiency → Night blindness. Vitamin B1 deficiency → Beriberi. Vitamin C deficiency → Scurvy. Vitamin D deficiency → Rickets.
  5. What are minerals? Explain any three with functions and sources.
    Answer: Minerals are nutrients needed in small quantities. Calcium – strong bones (milk, vegetables). Iron – makes blood (spinach, jaggery). Iodine – prevents goitre (iodized salt).
  6. Explain the importance of water in detail.
    Answer: Water makes up 70% of our body. It helps in digestion, absorption, transport of nutrients, excretion of waste, regulation of body temperature, and keeps the body hydrated.
  7. Write differences between carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
    Answer: Carbohydrates → energy-giving. Proteins → body-building. Fats → energy-giving, storage, warmth.