Micronutrient Investigation

Please read, watch and note the following information on micronutrients.

Water

Your body is 60% water on average. Many chemical reactions that occur within your body require water. It is used to maintain your blood volume and also plays an important role in keeping your body cool in hotter weather (moderating temperature inside your body).

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Vitamins

Vitamins are not needed in large amounts in the body, but they are crucial for growth and the regulation of many cell functions. As with macronutrients, some vitamins are labelled as ‘essential’, since the body cannot produce them on its own. Examples include Vitamins B and C.

Although most of the vitamins we need are obtained through the food we eat, some can be produced by our body.

  • A prime example is Vitamin D, which is formed when you are exposed to sunlight.
  • Vitamin K is produced by bacteria that live in your large intestine.
  • Vitamin A is produced from beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a chemical found in foods such as carrots and liver.

Minerals

Minerals are ions of elements that are found on the periodic table. Most are only needed in trace amounts, such as zinc and copper, but other minerals play a larger role in the functioning of our systems. Sodium is involved in muscle contraction and nerve pulses, while calcium and phosphorus play an important role in bone formation.

One of the most important minerals in our body is iron. Iron is part of the compound hemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells. The O2 from the gas exchange process binds to the iron component of hemoglobin and is then carried through the blood to the cells.

Plant Nutrients

Plants need different nutrients in various proportions to humans. The way the obtain these nutrients or make them is also different