Components of Food Class 6th Question Answers

Components of Food is Chapter 2 taken from JKBOSE and NCERT textbook of Science for students of Class 6th. In the previous post I provided you with Question Answers for Chapter 1 Food Where Does It Come From. This post is about Components of Food Class 6th Question Answers. Before we move on to solutions you must have your basics clear. So, let me begin by giving you a brief overview of what you have studied in this chapter.

Components of Food Class 6th Question Answers

Overview of Chapter

• WHAT DO DIFFERENT FOOD ITEMS CONTAIN?
• TESTS FOR FOOD ITEMS.
• WHAT DO VARIOUS NUTRIENTS DO FOR OUR BODIES?
• BALANCED DIET.
• DEFICIENCY DIET.

The substance that we eat to obtain energy, repair and maintain our body and fight against diseases is termed food. The food that we eat is made of different ingredients which contain certain substances which are necessary for us. In this post, we will study what these ingredients contain and what they do for our bodies.

What do different Food Items Contain?

All the food items that we use in daily life are usually made up of one or more ingredients, which are obtained from plants and animals. These ingredients contain nutrients that are necessary for our bodies. A nutrient is a substance which is essential for maintaining life and for the growth of an organism. There are five major types of nutrients in our food. These are:

1. Carbohydrates.
2. Fats.
3. Proteins
4. Vitamins
5. Minerals

In addition to these, our food has water and roughage (dietary fibres) in it which plays an important role in our digestion but they do not have any food value so they are not considered nutrients.

Tests for Food items

We can identify the major nutrient present in a food item by performing certain simple tests. In this chapter, we have studied how to perform tests for the presence of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

1. Test for Carbohydrates (Starch)

The test for the presence of starch in a food item can be performed in the following manner:

1. Take a small quantity of food ingredients to be tested.
2. Put 2-3 drops of iodine solution on it.
3. If it turns blue-black, it means the food item has starch in it.

2. Test for Fats

We can test the food item for the presence of fats in it in the following manner:

1. Rub a small quantity of the given food item on brown paper.
2. Hold this paper towards a source of light and look through it.
3. If the paper has bright, greasy or translucent patches on it, then it confirms the presence of fats in the food item.

3. Test for Proteins

The presence of proteins in a food item can be tested as follows:

1. Take a small amount of solution of a given food item in a test tube.
2. Add 2-3 drops of copper sulphate solution and shake the test tube well.
3. Then add a few drops of sodium hydroxide solution to it.
4. If a violet colour appears in the solution, then protein is present in the given foodstuff.

What do various Nutrients do for our Body?

The various nutrients that are present in our food are carbohydrates, fats, proteins vitamins and minerals. Our food also has water and roughage in it. Now let us study the functions of these nutrients for our boy.

• Carbohydrates: They are energy-giving food and provide energy to the body. The main carbohydrate that we eat in our food is starch. We obtain carbohydrates from plant sources. It comes from cereals like wheat, maize and rice etc.

•  Fats: They also provide energy to our bodies. In fact, they provide double the amount of energy as compared to the same amount of carbohydrates. They are the richest source of energy but they are expensive and also, and they accumulate in our bodies. They are obtained from plants as well as animals. Some main sources of fats are oils, butter, milk, cream, ghee etc.

• Proteins: They are termed body-building foods because they help in the growth and maintenance of our bodies. Children need more proteins than adults. These are divided into two types depending on their sources

a) Animal Proteins: Obtained from animal products like milk, cheese, fish, meat, chicken etc.

b) Vegetable Proteins: Obtained from plants in form of pulses like gram, moon, beans, peas, soybean etc.

• Vitamins: They are termed protective foods because they protect our body against various diseases and infections. Vitamins are needed for good eyesight, healthy teeth, gums and bones, proper growth and normal health. Some of the important vitamins are Vitamin A, Vitamin B₁, Vitamin B₂, Vitamin B₆, Vitamin B₁₂, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin K. The vitamins B₁, B₂, B₆, AND B₁₂, are collectively known as Vitamin B-complex. Vitamins are divided into two classes.

a) Fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamin A, D, E and K.

b) Water soluble vitamins: Vitamin B-complex and Vitamin C.

• Minerals: Minerals are also termed protective food. They are required for proper functioning, normal growth and good health. They are also needed to build bones and teeth, formation of blood, coagulation of blood and functioning of the nervous system, muscles, and thyroid glands. Minerals are needed in small amounts by our bodies. The important minerals needed by our body are Fe, Ca, P, K, Na, I and F.

• Water: It is necessary for living organisms but it has no food value. Water is liquid in which other substances can dissolve and move within our body or be eliminated from our body.
• Roughage: It is a fibrous matter which cannot be digested. It mainly consists of an indigestible carbohydrate called cellulose. Roughage is also called dietary fibres. It adds bulk to the food, keeps food and waste matter (faeces) moving along the intestines and helps to prevent constipation.

Balanced Diet

A diet which contains all the essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals in proper amounts is termed a balanced diet. A balanced diet also has a sufficient amount of water and roughage in it. A balanced diet is not the same for all age groups or occupations. It depends on the age and occupation of the person.

Deficiency Diseases

Diseases which are caused due to deficiency of a particular nutrient in a food a person over a long period of time are termed deficiency disease. Some main deficiency diseases are Night blindness (Vitamin A), Beri-Beri (Vitamin B₁), Scurvy (Vitamin C), Rickets (Vitamin D), Anaemia (Iron), Copper (Retarded growth), Phosphorus (weak bones and tooth decay), Iodine (Goitre)

Components of Class 6 Question Answers

Exercises

1. Name the major nutrients in our food.

Ans. The major nutrients in our food include Carbohydrates, Fats, Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals, Water and Roughage.

2. Why should we include vitamins in our diet?

Ans. We should include vitamins in our diet because they are necessary for the normal growth and functioning of our body. They also protect our bodies against various infections and diseases.

3. What is the aim of the Mid-Day Meal Programme?

Ans. The main aim of this programme is to meet the nutritional deficiencies of children who came to schools hungry or empty stomach.

4. Name the following: –

a. The nutrients which mainly give energy to our body

Ans. Carbohydrates and Fats.

b. The nutrients that are needed for the growth and maintenance of our body.

Ans. Proteins.

c. A vitamin is required for maintaining good eyesight.

Ans. Vitamin A.

d. A mineral that is required for keeping our bones healthy.

Ans. Calcium and Phosphorus.

5. Name two foods that are rich in

a) Fats b) Starch c) Dietary fibres     d) Protein

Fats	Butter, Ghee, Oils.
Starch	Rice, Chapatti, Potato, Banana.
Dietary Fibres	Fresh fruits and vegetables, Wholegrains, Pulses.
Protein	Milk, Egg, Pulses, Meat.

6. Tick the statements that are correct.

1. By eating rice alone, we can fulfil the nutritional requirement of our bodies. False
2. Deficiency diseases can be prevented by eating a balanced diet. True
3. A balanced diet for the body should contain a variety of food items. True
4. Meat alone is sufficient to provide all nutrients to the body. False

7. Fill in the blanks.

1. __________ is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D.
2. A deficiency of __________ causes a disease known as beri-beri.
3. A deficiency of Vitamin C causes a disease known as __________.
4. Night blindness is caused due to deficiency of __________in our food.
5. Proteins of animal origin are __________, __________and __________.
6. Roughage helps in the proper functioning of the __________.
7. A deficiency of Iodine leads to __________.

Ans.

1. Rickets is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D.
2. A deficiency of Vitamin B1 causes a disease known as beri-beri.
3. A deficiency of Vitamin C causes a disease known as Scurvy.
4. Night blindness is caused due to deficiency of Vitamin A in our food.
5. Proteins of animal origin are milk, egg and meat.
6. Roughage helps in the proper functioning of the digestive system.
7. Deficiency of Iodine leads to Goitre.

Components of Food Class 6 Extra Questions and Answers

That’s all we have about Components of Food Class 6th Question Answers. Hope it has helped. Do share your views about this post in the comment section below.