high importancemedium difficulty5 min

Nutrition in organisms

Nutrition is the process of taking in food and using it for energy, growth, repair, and maintenance.

In one line: Nutrition is not just eating; it is food used for life.

Understand it

Different organisms do not obtain food in the same way. Green plants make food by photosynthesis, while animals and fungi depend on other sources. Nutrition is not only eating; it also includes digestion, absorption, transport, and use of food by cells.

Example

A green plant making glucose in leaves and a human digesting rice are both examples of nutrition.

Rule to remember

Rule: Nutrition includes obtaining food, processing it if needed, and using it in cells.

See it worked out

Follow the example line by line, then use the same method on new questions.

Worked example

1A mango tree makes its own food in leaves, while a dog depends on food from outside.
2Both need nutrition because both must get energy for life activities.

Method you can reuse

1State the purpose of food.
2Mention the source of food.
3Add whether the organism makes or takes food.
4Link it to energy and growth.

Sketch it in your answer

Use a simple flow chart: intake or synthesis → digestion if needed → absorption → transport → use in cells.

Check yourself

Answer the question in your head before opening the answer.

Try it yourself

What is the main purpose of nutrition in living organisms?

Think first, then show answer

The main purpose of nutrition is to provide energy and raw materials for growth, repair, and daily life activities.

Common wrong answer

Nutrition means only eating food.

Why it loses marks: Nutrition also covers making, digesting, absorbing, and using food.

Don't mix this up

Students often think nutrition means only eating food or only digestion.

Exam tip

When answering, mention both the source of food and the way it is used by the body.