Nutrient

A nutrient is a substance that living things need to stay alive and grow. All plants, animals, and humans need nutrients. Nutrients provide materials for building the body and for keeping body systems working. They are taken in from food, water, or the environment. Without enough nutrients, living things cannot survive.

Nutrients can be grouped into several main types. One group is carbohydrates. These are sugars and starches found in foods such as bread, rice, and fruits. Another group is proteins. Proteins are made of smaller parts called amino acids and are found in foods such as meat, beans, and eggs. Fats are another type of nutrient. They are found in oils, butter, and some plant seeds. These three groups are often called macronutrients because they are needed in large amounts.

Another group of nutrients includes vitamins and minerals. These are called micronutrients because they are needed in small amounts. Vitamins are organic substances, which means they come from living sources. Examples include vitamin C and vitamin D. Minerals are natural elements such as calcium and iron. They come from soil and water and enter food through plants and animals. Even though small amounts are needed, vitamins and minerals are important for normal body functions.

Water is also considered a nutrient. It makes up a large part of the body and is needed for many processes. Water helps move nutrients through the body and helps control body temperature. Living things can survive longer without food than without water. For plants, water helps carry nutrients from the soil into the roots and other parts of the plant.

Plants and animals get nutrients in different ways. Plants take nutrients from the soil, air, and water. They use sunlight to make their own food through a process called photosynthesis. Animals and humans cannot make their own food. They must eat plants or other animals to get nutrients. This movement of nutrients through living things is part of a food chain, which shows how energy and nutrients pass from one organism to another.

Nutrients also play a role in the environment. In nature, nutrients move through cycles. For example, nitrogen moves between the air, soil, plants, and animals in the nitrogen cycle. When plants and animals die, nutrients return to the soil and can be used again. This recycling helps keep ecosystems balanced. Nutrients are a basic part of life on Earth and connect living things to their surroundings.