Components of Food

 COMPONENTS OF FOOD

Class 6 | Science

Q 1. What are nutrients? Name major nutrients in our food.

Ans. The components of food that are needed for the growth of our body are called nutrients.

The major nutrients in our food are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Roughage and water are also needed by our body.

Q 2. Give a test for the starch in a given food sample.

Ans. We will take a small quantity of given food item and pour 2 or 3 drops of iodine solution on it. We will observe a change in the colour of the food item. It turns blue-black. Blue-black colour indicates that the given food item contains starch.

Q 3. Give the test for protein in a given food item.

Ans. We will take a small quantity of a food item like egg and put it in a clean test tube and add ten drops of water, two drops of copper sulphate and ten drops of caustic soda and shake it well. A violet colour indicates the presence of protein in the given food item.

Q 4. Name different parts of the plant that are used as food along with their examples.

Ans. Parts of the plant that are used as food: -

a)      Roots: Carrot, turnip, radish, beetroot, sweet potato.

b)      Stem: Potato, onion, garlic, ginger, sugarcane.

c)       Leaves: Spinach, cabbage, lettuce, mint, coriander, mustard.

d)      Fruit: Mango, apple, grapes, strawberry.

e)      Flower: Cauliflower, banana flower, broccoli, pumpkin flower.

f)        Seeds: Mustard, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, grains, peas.

Q 5. Name and explain about two plants which have two or more edible parts.

Ans. a) Mustard plant: -

Ø Seeds are used to take out mustard oil.

Ø Leaves are used as vegetable.

b) Banana plant: -

Ø Banana fruit is eaten as such.

Ø Raw banana is eaten as vegetable.

Ø Flower of banana is eaten as vegetable.

Q 6. How can we classify animals on the basis of their food habits?

Ans. (a) Herbivores: The animals which eat only plants or plant products are called Herbivores. Their teeth are designed to chew plants. E.g. Cow, deer, goat, horse etc.

(b) Carnivores: The animals which eat flesh of other animals are called carnivores. They have long and sharp teeth or strong beaks to tear the flesh. E.g. Lion, eagle tiger, wolf etc.

(c) Omnivores: The animals which eat both plants and animals are called omnivores. E.g. Human, crow, cat, dog, bear etc.

Q 7. Define: edible, sprouts and nectar.

Ans. Edible: These are the things we can eat and digest. E.g. Fruit, salads, cooked vegetables etc.

Sprouts: These are seeds with small white structures grown out of the seeds after they are soaked in water for few hours.

Nectar: It is a sugar rich liquid produced by the plant in the nectar gland with which the flower attracts the insects towards it.