All living things need to take nutrients from the environment. These nutrients are in the food you eat. You need nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
What happens to the food you eat? How can our bodies get nutrients from food?
When food is eaten, it is broken down into very small parts. This process is called digestion. The digested food then goes into the bloodstream so that it is carried to all parts of the body.
After food is digested, the nutrients are ready to be used. But what are nutrients used for?
Well, this depends on the type of nutrient. For example, proteins are used for body building and repair to damaged parts of the body. The simple substances produced by digestion are changed to more complex substances when they are used for these purposes. This process is called assimilation .
This is shown the following diagram.
Fats and sugars are needed to provide energy. This energy enables you to do all the things that living things do, such as respond to your surroundings, grow and move. |
