CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) Mathematical Sciences Coaching Programs
📹 Video Course 2024 (58 Lectures [23 Hrs : 26 Mins]): Offline Support
Click Here to View & Get Complete Material
Rs. 140.00
1 Month Validity (Multiple Devices)
🎓 Study Material (263 Notes): 2024-2025 Syllabus
Click Here to View & Get Complete Material
Rs. 400.00
3 Year Validity (Multiple Devices)
🎯 96 Numeric, 1805 MCQs (& PYQs) with Full Explanations (2024-2025 Exam)
Click Here to View & Get Complete Material
Rs. 550.00
3 Year Validity (Multiple Devices)
Micronutrients and Macronutrients Differences in Biology Import Concepts Must to Know
Question. Difference Between Micronutrients and Macronutrients.
Answer:
Macronutrients:
- The substances that comprise a major portion of our staple food and give us the energy we need to move, breathe, sleep, and properly function.
- Macro and micronutrients differ in several ways, the primary being the units they are measured in. Macros are measured in terms of grams, for example, 1 gram of protein or fat.
Macronutrients consist of the following three major categories of nutrients:
- Proteins: These are the nutrients that are usually found in food items such as eggs, dairy products like cottage cheese, fish, soy, and tofu.
- Fats: These are the nutrients that are found in food items such as meat, different kinds of nuts, oil, butter, milk, and cheese.
- Carbohydrates: Potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, corn, grains, and even some fruits are very rich sources of carbohydrates.
Micronutrients:
- Substances that are consumed in minimal amounts, and this helps to ensure the growth and healthy development of the body.
- Micronutrients are, on the other hand, measured in much smaller units such as milligrams and micrograms. Green vegetables and fruits that are chock-full of vitamins and minerals contain an abundance of micronutrients.
- Some of these include Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-6, Calcium, Iron, Folate.
Differentiating Property | Micronutrients | Macronutrients |
Requirement | Micro-nutrients are required in small or tiny amount/quantity on a daily basis. | Macro-nutrients are required in larger amount/quantity on a daily basis. |
Function | Micro-nutrients support macro-nutrients to carry out bodily functions. They are also an essential component for building healthy brain, body and bones. | Macro-nutrients is essential for growth, repair and develop new tissues (carbohydrates) , maintain body temperature (fats) , conduct nerve impulses, and regulate life process. |
Benefits/advantages | Micro-nutrients contribute to body growth and disease prevention. Micro-nutrients comprise of high volume of antioxidants which protects the body against various diseases. | Macro-nutrients contribute to the bulk energy needed for the metabolic system. Macro-nutrients provide calories that gives energy to the body. |
Role | Micro-nutrients do not have any role in the construction of body composition. | Macro-nutrients play a vital role in the construction of body composition. |
Concentration | Micro-nutrients are present in minute concentration inside the body. | Macro-nutrients are available in high concentration inside the body. |
Composition/known as | Micro-nutrients are also called trace elements. | Macro-nutrients are also called as major elements. |
Food composition | Mainly vegetables, fruits, eggs, green leafy vegetables, fermented foods are rich in micro-nutrients. | Cereals, legumes, meat, fish, yams, potatoes, nuts, oilseeds are rich in macro-nutrients. |
Types and examples | Different types of micro-nutrients required by the body include vitamins, minerals and trace elements. | There are mainly three macro-nutrients required by the body; carbohydrate, protein and fats. |
Quantity | Micro-nutrients are not classified in different types, as it is required in trace amount. | Macro-nutrients are divided into two classes: Primary and Secondary, as they are required in large quantities. |
Composition | Micro-nutrients include zinc, iron, manganese, copper, boron, molybdenum and chlorine in trace quantities. | Primary macro-nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in larger quantities. Secondary macro-nutrients include calcium, magnesium, and sulphur in lesser quantity. |
Toxicity | Micro-nutrients are toxic if present exorbitantly in the cell than the required amount. | Macro-nutrients are normally not toxic to the cell if they are present in comparatively higher concentration than in the normal level. |
Excessive ingestion | Excessive consumption of micro-nutrients leads to suppressing immune function. | Excessive intake of micro-nutrients leads to obesity and diabetes. |
Consequences of deficiency | Deficiency of micro-nutrients causes different diseases like night blindness, beriberi, scurvy, Goitre etc. | Deficiency of macro-nutrients causes Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) , Kwashiorkor, marasmus etc. |
Consequences of overdose | Overdose of micro-nutrients may harm specific organs of the body. E. g. : overdose of vitamins affect liver. | Overdose of macro-nutrients causes obesity, heart diseases, diabetes and other metabolic syndromes. |
Example | Proteins, fiber, carbohydrates, and fats are examples of micro-nutrients. | Antioxidants, Minerals, and Vitamins are examples of macro-nutrients. |
Sources | Are found abundantly in cereals, fish, legumes, meat, nuts, oilseeds, potatoes, yam, etc. | Are found in fruits, vegetables, eggs, fermented foods, green leafy vegetables, etc. |