All living organisms require food for survival, growth, and reproduction. Most broadly, the term food can be taken to include any kind of nutrient needed by animals, plants, and simpler forms of life, on down to bacteria. This would include, for example, the inorganic substances that plants draw from air and water. The processes that circulate these basic nutrients in the environment are called nutrient cycles, and the processes by which organisms make use of nutrients are collectively known as metabolism | FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY FOREIGN language department FOOD AND NUTRITION 1 1 FOOD AND NUTRITION READING COMPREHENSION All living organisms require food for survival growth and reproduction. Most broadly the term food can be taken to include any kind of nutrient needed by animals plants and simpler forms of life on down to bacteria. This would include for example the inorganic substances that 5 plants draw from air and water. The processes that circulate these basic nutrients in the environment are called nutrient cycles and the processes by which organisms make use of nutrients are collectively known as metabolism. In terms of the energy needs of humans and other animals food consists 10 of carbohydrate fat and protein along with vitamins and minerals. Humans may consume a wide range of different food substances as long as they meet nutrition requirements. Otherwise nutritional-deficiency diseases will develop. 2 ENGLISH FOR NUTRITION AND FOOD SCIENCES 15 Nutrition is the science that interprets the relationship of food to the functioning of the living organism. It is concerned with the intake of food digestive processes the liberation of energy and the elimination of wastes as well as with all the syntheses that are essential for maintenance growth and reproduction. These fundamental activities are 20 characteristic of all living organisms - from the simplest to the most complex plants and animals. Nutrients are substances either naturally occurring or synthesized that are necessary for maintenance of the normal function of organisms. These include carbohydrates lipids proteins vitamins and minerals water and some unknown substances. 25 The nutritionist a scientist working in the field of nutrition differs from the dietitian who translates the science of nutrition into the skill of furnishing optimal nourishment to people. Dietetics is a profession concerned with the science and art of human nutrition care an essential component of the health
