Chapter 7: Nutrition and Diet
Solved textbook questions with step-by-step explanations.
Grade 6 Q&A: Chapter 7: Nutrition and Diet
Welcome to the Questions and Answers section for Grade 6 Environmental Studies (Part One), Chapter 7: "Nutrition and Diet." This chapter highlights the vital role of food in our lives, focusing on the different nutrients our bodies need for growth, energy, and overall health. We will explore various food components, understand the concept of a balanced diet, and learn about the consequences of nutrient deficiencies and the importance of healthy eating habits.
Important Questions and Answers
Q1: What is nutrition?
Answer: Nutrition is the process by which living organisms obtain and utilize food for growth, energy, and maintenance of their body functions.
Q2: What are nutrients? Name the main types of nutrients.
Answer: Nutrients are chemical substances present in food that are essential for the body's growth, energy, and repair. The main types are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Q3: What are carbohydrates? Why are they important?
Answer: Carbohydrates are energy-giving nutrients. They are important because they provide the main source of energy for our body's activities.
Q4: Give examples of food rich in carbohydrates.
Answer: Examples of food rich in carbohydrates include cereals (wheat, rice), potatoes, bread, sugar, and jaggery.
Q5: What are proteins? Why are they important?
Answer: Proteins are body-building nutrients. They are important for growth, repair of worn-out cells, and building new tissues in the body.
Q6: Give examples of food rich in proteins.
Answer: Examples of food rich in proteins include pulses (dals), milk, eggs, meat, fish, and nuts.
Q7: What are fats? Why are they important?
Answer: Fats are also energy-giving nutrients, providing more energy than carbohydrates. They are important for energy storage, protecting organs, and keeping the body warm.
Q8: Give examples of food rich in fats.
Answer: Examples of food rich in fats include oil, ghee, butter, nuts, and fatty meats.
Q9: What are vitamins? Why are they important?
Answer: Vitamins are protective nutrients that are required in small amounts but are essential for the proper functioning of the body, protecting it from diseases.
Q10: Give examples of food rich in vitamins.
Answer: Examples of food rich in vitamins include fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, and eggs.
Q11: What are minerals? Why are they important?
Answer: Minerals are protective nutrients essential for various body functions, such as bone formation, blood production, and nerve function.
Q12: Give examples of food rich in minerals.
Answer: Examples of food rich in minerals include green leafy vegetables, fruits, milk, and salt.
Q13: What is a balanced diet?
Answer: A balanced diet is a diet that provides all the necessary nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals) in appropriate amounts, along with water and roughage, to maintain good health.
Q14: Why is it important to have a balanced diet?
Answer: It is important to have a balanced diet because it ensures proper growth, provides energy for daily activities, keeps us healthy, and protects us from various diseases.
Q15: What are deficiency diseases?
Answer: Deficiency diseases are diseases caused by the lack of one or more essential nutrients in the diet over a long period.
Q16: Name a disease caused by the deficiency of Vitamin A.
Answer: Night blindness is a disease caused by the deficiency of Vitamin A.
Q17: Name a disease caused by the deficiency of Vitamin C.
Answer: Scurvy is a disease caused by the deficiency of Vitamin C.
Q18: Name a disease caused by the deficiency of Iron.
Answer: Anemia is a disease caused by the deficiency of Iron.
Q19: What is roughage (dietary fiber)? Why is it important?
Answer: Roughage (or dietary fiber) is the indigestible part of plant food. It is important because it helps in the proper movement of food through the digestive system and prevents constipation.
Q20: Give examples of food rich in roughage.
Answer: Examples of food rich in roughage include whole grains, fresh fruits (with skin), vegetables, and salads.
Q21: Why is water an essential component of our diet?
Answer: Water is essential because it helps in the absorption of nutrients, transport of substances in the body, regulation of body temperature, and removal of waste products.
Q22: What is malnutrition?
Answer: Malnutrition is a condition that results from eating a diet in which nutrients are either not enough or are too much, leading to health problems. It includes both undernutrition and overnutrition.
Q23: What are the effects of eating too much junk food?
Answer: Eating too much junk food can lead to obesity, lack of essential nutrients, and increased risk of diseases like diabetes and heart problems, as it is often high in fats, sugar, and salt but low in vitamins and minerals.
Q24: How can we ensure proper hygiene while preparing and eating food?
Answer: We can ensure proper hygiene by washing hands before eating, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly, cooking food properly, and keeping food covered to prevent contamination.
Q25: What is the importance of having regular meals?
Answer: Having regular meals is important because it provides a continuous supply of energy to the body, helps maintain a healthy metabolism, and prevents overeating due to extreme hunger.
Q26: How does exercise complement a healthy diet?
Answer: Exercise complements a healthy diet by helping to burn calories, maintain a healthy weight, build strong muscles and bones, improve cardiovascular health, and boost overall physical and mental well-being.
Q27: What is the role of sunlight in nutrition?
Answer: Sunlight is essential for the production of Vitamin D in our bodies, which is crucial for bone health and calcium absorption.
Exercise Solutions
Q1: Fill in the blanks.
- Carbohydrates provide energy to our body.
- Proteins are called body-building nutrients.
- Vitamins and minerals are protective nutrients.
- Lack of nutrients in the diet causes deficiency diseases.
- Roughage helps in proper digestion.
Q2: Match the pairs.
(Note: As an AI, I cannot create interactive matching. I will provide the correct pairs.)
- Carbohydrates - Energy-giving food
- Proteins - Body-building food
- Vitamins - Protective food
- Iron - Mineral
- Roughage - Fiber
Q3: True or False.
- Fats provide less energy than carbohydrates. False
- A balanced diet includes all necessary nutrients. True
- Night blindness is caused by deficiency of Vitamin C. False
- Water is not an essential part of our diet. False
- Junk food is good for health. False
Q4: Answer the following questions.
- What are nutrients? Name them.
Answer: Nutrients are chemical substances in food essential for body functions. They are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. - What is a balanced diet? Why is it important?
Answer: A balanced diet provides all necessary nutrients in appropriate amounts. It is important for proper growth, energy, health, and disease prevention. - What are deficiency diseases? Give two examples.
Answer: Deficiency diseases are caused by a lack of essential nutrients. Examples include Night blindness (Vitamin A deficiency) and Scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency). - What is the importance of roughage and water in our diet?
Answer: Roughage aids digestion and prevents constipation. Water helps nutrient absorption, transport, temperature regulation, and waste removal.
Q5: Give reasons.
- We should eat a balanced diet.
Reason: We should eat a balanced diet because it ensures our body receives all the necessary nutrients in correct proportions, which are vital for proper growth, energy production, maintaining good health, and protecting against various diseases. - Eating too much junk food is harmful.
Reason: Eating too much junk food is harmful because it is often high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt, but lacks essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This can lead to obesity, nutrient deficiencies, and an increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart problems. - Fresh fruits and vegetables are important for our diet.
Reason: Fresh fruits and vegetables are important for our diet because they are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and roughage. These nutrients are crucial for boosting immunity, protecting the body from diseases, and ensuring proper digestion.
References
- Maharashtra State Board Environmental Studies (Part One) Standard Six Textbook (2015 Edition) - Chapter 7: Nutrition and Diet.
- Maharashtra State Board 6th Standard Environmental Studies Syllabus.
- Balbharati Environmental Studies Part 1 Textbook.