'What are the differences between Hetrophic & Autotrophic nutrition'?

A Level Biology Essay 'What are the differences between Hetrophic & Autotrophic nutrition' One of the seven processes carried out by all living organisms, nutrition occurs in both plants and animals. However, the methods they both use are very different. Autotrophic nutrition is in its simplest terms is being able to feed oneself and synthesise ones own food from simpler molecules. Hetrophic nutrition however, is the opposite, unable to synthesise its own food. Immediately, one notices which of the categories each the plants and animals fall into. It is important to stress that Autotrophic nutrition lays down the building blocks of life and provides complex organic molecules for the consumption of Hetrophic organisms. Without Autotrophic nutrition, there would be no life. Autotrophic nutrition falls on two levels. Light energy used in photosynthesis and chemical energy for processes involving chemosynthesis. Essentially plants survive on the products of photosynthesis and depend upon the power of the sun to help produce these foods. There are a number of physiological functions in plants, which also help the process of photosynthesis. In order for these organisms to achieve Autotrophic nutrition, they must gather together many raw materials from its environment for photosynthesis to occur. Plants require a source of carbon dioxide and water, chlorophyll to collect

  • Word count: 540
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Science
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A Comparision of Nutrition in Plants and Animals.

Comparison of nutrition is plants and animals Plants and animals both need nutrition to survive being different species they have a lot of differences in their nutrition intake and how they break it down. However, plants and animals do have similarities such as nutrients they need. Firstly, plants make their own glucose, which is a form of energy, via the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide, water into glucose and oxygen in the presence of sunlight. Plants get carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and it is diffused into the leaf through the small holes in the underside of the leaf called the stomata. The water is absorbed through active transport by the root hair cells. Sunlight is absorbed by the layer of palisade cells which absorb sunlight and have a lot of chloroplasts. The chloroplasts carry out the photosynthesis because they have chlorophyll which absorbs the sunlight and allows it to be used. Plants also need minerals and nutrients too such as magnesium and potassium. On the other hand, animals have different dietary requirements as they require seven essential things including carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, water, fibre, fat and protein. This means that they do not need carbon dioxide and sunlight for their energy but water, oxygen and those seven nutrients for respiration. Animals get their oxygen by breathing it in from the

  • Word count: 932
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Science
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Mineral Nutrition

Mineral Nutrition Plants are autotropic and must obtain the nutrients they need to live from the soil, which they grow. The minerals enter the plants through its roots into the xylem. Most absorption takes place in the root hair where cells in the outmost layer have extension, which penetrate between the particles in the soil. The minerals are dissolved in a film of water and diffuse into root hair cells. However, minerals are also taken up by active transport. This is because the concentration of ions in the soil is higher than the concentration in the root hair cells, so it moves against its concentration gradient. This is an active process requiring energy from respiration. Once inside the root hairs, the ions follows the uptake of water and are transported into the xylem through the symplast and apoplast pathway. In the symplast pathway, the ion that is dissolved in water moves through the cytoplasm of the root cells and cross the plasma membrane into neighboring cells. Alternatively, in the apoplast pathway, the ions moves through cell walls or non-living parts of the roots (i.e. the space between the cells) and does not cross the plasma membrane. The diagram below illustrates this. Since the root hair are made from a series of tissue, the water carrying the ions will reach the inner boundary of the cortex, the endodermis, which is surrounded by a water impermeable

  • Word count: 720
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Science
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Note on Plant Nutrition and Transport

Plant Nutrition and Transport Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is the process that produces food in plants, it produces glucose. Photosynthesis happens in the chloroplasts, which are found in leaf cells and in other green parts of a plant. Chloroplast contains a pigment called chlorophyll which absorbs sunlight and uses its energy to convert carbon dioxide and water to glucose. Oxygen is produced. Carbon dioxide + water → (sunlight) glucose and oxygen 6CO2+6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 Fine scale diagram of leaf structure Leaves are designed for photosynthesis as seen by the structure: * Leaves are broad so there is a large surface area exposed to light. * Most of the chloroplasts are found in the palisade layer. That is so they’re near the top of the leaf where there is a lot of light. * The palisade is very tightly packed so no light is lost. * The upper epidermis is transparent so light can pass through. * Leaves have a network of vascular bundles → they are transport vessels xylem and phloem. They deliver water and other nutrients to each part of the leaf and take away the glucose. * The waxy cuticle stops water leaving by evaporation * And the leaf is great at gas exchange as there is a lot of space in the spongy mesophyll where the gases i.e. CO2can be exchange. Rate of Photosynthesis The three things that effect that rate of photosynthesis is CO2 and light

  • Word count: 1016
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Science
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Water and Mineral Nutrition in Plants

Water and Mineral Nutrition in Plants We have just concluded a series of lectures looking at the structure of the "higher" plant body and some of its features. At this time we can look at how the plant functions (physiology) and how plant growth and development is regulated. In other words, how does a plant do the things it needs to do, such as: Obtain nutrients for growth and survival, both from the "soil" and from the atmosphere Maintain water balance and transport water throughout the plant Transport nutrients and solutes to its cells and tissues Regulate growth and developmental activities You'll note the plants have many of the same problems that any animal does - its just that plants tend to solve their problems in different ways... Let's look now at some of these problems and how plants grow and survive in an often "hostile" environment. Obtaining Nutrients Plants are autotrophs. They obtain raw materials from their environment. Plants need about 18 elements, mostly mineral ions, along with oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide. We will discuss the specific mineral needs in the laboratory exercise on mineral nutrition. Plants then process these substances into their needed organic molecules for plant structure and function. Plants produce few waste products because they have no need to extract nutrients from pre-formed organic materials (like we do), and their

  • Word count: 5147
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Science
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Science Biology Revision Notes - Nutrition in plants and the Human heart.

B3 Nutrition in Plants There are 2 types of Nutrition . Autotrophic: simple compounds, which are absorbed and build up into complex substances, which may be oxidized (broken down) to release energy. 2. Heterotrophic: Complex food material is broken down to simple substances during digestion, which may be absorbed or oxidized to release energy. Plants show autotrophic nutrition and the central process in plant nutrition is photosynthesis. Sunlight is absorbed by the pigments known as CHLOROPHYLL, which are contained in chloroplast. The first product of photosynthesis is sugar but this is polymerized into starch, which can be stored. Word equation for photosynthesis: Carbon Dioxide + Water = Simple Sugar + Oxygen. Testing leaves for starch. Take a leaf and dip it into boiling water. Add ethanol after the leaf has been boiled. Boil the leaf and ethanol. Add iodine, if starch is present leaf will turn blue/black. Minerals required by plants .Nitrates: This mineral combines with glucose to produce amino acids, which make proteins. 2.Magnesium: This forms part of the chlorophyll molecule. If magnesium is not present then the plant has yellow leaves. The Leaf’s structure and Function Upper Epidermis: This layer decreases water loss. It is transparent so that light can pass through. Lower Epidermis: This layer has guard cells, which controls the opening and

  • Word count: 1133
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Science
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Nutrition Assignment

Meghna Srivastava Biology IBS P1 Mr Khanna November 26th 2001 Nutrition Assignment Part 1 - General Nutrition a) Malnutrition is defined as faulty nutrition due to inadequate or unbalanced intake of nutrients or their impaired assimilation or utilization. b) Vitamins * Vitamin A - Source: dark green leafy vegetables, carrots, cabbage, kale, leeks, broccoli, parsley, watercress, turnip greens, fresh and dried apricots, red peppers, fish, dairy products. - Function: This vitamin fights infection and keeps glands, skin and gums healthy. It also maintains the respiratory tract. * Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) - Source: cereals, legumes, nuts, pork. - Function: Vitamin B1 promotes proper nerve functioning. It also aids carbohydrates digestion by turning them into biological energy. * Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) - Source: citrus fruits, cabbage, kale, leeks, broccoli, watercress, turnip greens, brussel sprouts, tomatoes. - Function: Vitamin C prevents gingivitis and gum-bleeding. It keeps blood vessels strong and protects the vascular system. It also helps to heal cuts and bruises. * Vitamin K - Source: leafy vegetables, kale, broccoli, turnip greens, spinach. - Function: Vitamin K is necessary for normal blood clotting. c) Minerals * Calcium - Source: green leafy vegetables, milk, buttermilk, cheese, yogurt, dairy products, sardines. - Function: Calcium promotes

  • Word count: 695
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Psychology
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Sports Nutrition

Sports Nutrition Professional athletes need to understand sports nutrition because they depend on their bodies for their livelihood. When food is introduced into the body, it becomes fuel. The rate at which the food is burned is calculated according to its fuel content or calorie content. The calories that athletes eat come from a mix of: * Fats * Protein * Carbohydrates You need different needs for each calorie source depending on your sport. If your sport if long-lasting endurance like marathon cycling you have a greater need for fuel then if your sport is less strenuous. As a rule, athletes should balance their diet so that they consume foods high in carbohydrates, low in fat and moderate in protein content. The ideal distribution should be: * Fats 25% * Protein 12% to 15% * Carbohydrates 60% or

  • Word count: 133
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Design & Technology
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Vegetarian Diet Nutrition

Vegetarian Diet Nutrition Vegetarianism can be a very healthy option but only if your vegetarian diet plan is well balanced. This means eating a variety of foods including grains, fruit and vegetables, beans, pulses, nuts or seeds, a small amount of fat, with or without dairy products. Vegetarian Pyramid Offers Best Vegetarian Nutrition For optimum nutrition as a vegetarian, follow the Vegetarian Food Pyramid. Table 1. Vegetarian Food Pyramid Eggs, Sweets Eat occasionally or in small quantities Nuts & Seeds Egg Whites, Soy Milks Dairy Plant Oils Eat daily Fruits & Vegetables Whole Grains Soy, Beans, Peanuts & Other Legumes Eat at every meal Source: US Dept of Agriculture Balanced Vegetarian Diet - Eat from All Food Groups Use the Vegetarian Food Pyramid to maintain a healthy balanced diet by eating foods from all the food groups. Each of these vegetarian food groups provides some, but not all, of the nutrients you need. Foods in one group can't replace those in another. No one food group is more important than another - for good health, you need them all. Vegans should pay special attention to their vitamin B12 and vitamin D intake by eating fortified foods or taking vitamin B12/ vitamin D supplements. Vegetarian Diet Nutrition Guidelines Vegetarian Diet Nutrition - Protein Plant sources of protein alone can provide all the protein required by vegetarians

  • Word count: 641
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Design & Technology
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Nutrition Report

TITTLE: Nutrition- Four days of my diet OBJECTIVE: The aim of this laboratory is to study Nutrition and determine if my regular Diet is on the ideal nutrition needs for myself. INTRODUCTION: Nutrition is a science that studies the relationship between diet and health. Diet is the total food taken in by an individual and nutrients are substances needed in the diet of an organism. The human body is the most complex organism there is and is composed by several other organisms. Both are in constant recycling movement of their cells. These cells are in constant recycling so that in one day millions of them are reproduced so that the older ones can be put away through personal necessities. In our organisms there are also several chemical reactions between carbohydrates, fats and etc. But for these chemical reactions to happen and these constant cells renovations there must be energy for it, the body needs a lot of energy, through oxygen and carbohydrates, matter to constitute the cells, through proteins and some additional substances, and again some other substances which facilitate the chemical reactions from the vitamins and minerals. And all of these essential things are found while our alimentation and respiration. Our alimentation is basically based on three different groups of food, and these three groups compose the right/perfect diet. The first one is the energetic,

  • Word count: 2176
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Biology
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