Components of Food: Class 6 Science Q&A
44 free answers on Components of Food (Science) for Class 6 students, across CBSE, ICSE and State boards. Includes questions such as “How will you test the presence of proteins in food items?”, “What are vitamins?”, “What are dietary fibres? Explain their importance.”
Question & Answer
Questions
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
How will you test the presence of proteins in food items?
The presence of proteins in food can be tested using a chemical test with nitric acid. First, take a small amount of crushed food in a test tube. Add a few drops of concentrated nitric acid and heat it slightly. If the food turns yellow, it indicates the presence of protein. When ammonium hydroxide is added, the colour changes from yellow to deep orange, confirming the presence of proteins.
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
What are vitamins?
Vitamins are complex organic substances required by the body in small amounts for proper growth and health. They do not provide energy but help regulate various body functions. Important vitamins required by our body include Vitamin A, B-complex, C, D, E, and K. These vitamins help maintain healthy skin, bones, eyes, blood, and immunity.
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
What are dietary fibres? Explain their importance.
Dietary fibres, also known as roughage, are components of plant foods that cannot be digested by the human body. Although roughage does not provide nutrients or energy, it is very important for proper digestion. It helps food move smoothly through the digestive system and prevents constipation. Foods rich in dietary fibres include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, pulses, and potatoes.
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
What are carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. They are mainly produced by plants during the process of photosynthesis. Common examples of carbohydrates include glucose, sugar, and starch. Carbohydrates are the main and cheapest source of energy for the body. Foods such as rice, wheat, potatoes, bread, and sugar are rich in carbohydrates.
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
Why is glucose called a source of instant energy?
Glucose is called a source of instant energy because it is directly absorbed into the bloodstream and quickly used by the body cells during respiration to release energy. Unlike other foods that need to be digested first, glucose can be used immediately by the body. That is why glucose drinks are often given to people who feel weak or tired.
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
Name two energy-giving components of food.
The two main energy-giving components of food are: Carbohydrates Fats Carbohydrates provide quick energy to perform daily activities, while fats store energy in the body and provide energy when required.
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
Name the disease caused by the deficiency of iodine. Suggest a few food items to cure it.
The disease caused by the deficiency of iodine is called goiter. In this disease, the thyroid gland in the neck becomes enlarged. To prevent or cure iodine deficiency, people should eat foods rich in iodine such as iodized salt, fish, seafood, milk, eggs, and seaweed. Using iodized salt in daily cooking is the easiest way to prevent goiter.
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
Name the protein present in the blood. What is the function of proteins in our body?
The protein present in blood is hemoglobin. Hemoglobin helps in carrying oxygen from the lungs to different parts of the body. Proteins are very important nutrients because they help in the growth and repair of body tissues. They are also needed for the formation of muscles, enzymes, hormones, and body cells. Foods rich in proteins include pulses, milk, eggs, meat, fish, and beans.
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
Name the disease caused by the deficiency of the following nutrients.
Iron: Anemia Vitamin A: Loss of vision or night blindness Vitamin B1: Beriberi Vitamin C: Scurvy Deficiency diseases occur when the body does not receive enough of certain nutrients over a long period of time.
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
Which components of food are known as protective foods?
Vitamins and minerals are known as protective foods. They help protect the body against diseases and keep the body functioning properly. Vitamins help maintain healthy skin, eyes, bones, and immunity. Minerals help in the formation of bones, teeth, and blood. For example, vitamin C helps prevent infections, while iron helps in the formation of blood. Protective foods are mainly obtained from fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, and green leafy vegetables. Including these foods in o
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
How will you test the starch in a food item?
The presence of starch in a food item can be tested using an iodine solution test. To perform the test, take a small quantity of the food item and place it on a plate or in a test tube. Then add 2–3 drops of dilute iodine solution to it. If the food item turns blue-black in colour, it indicates the presence of starch. This happens because iodine reacts with starch to produce a blue-black colour. Foods such as potatoes, rice, bread, and wheat usually give a positive test
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
Define Obesity.
Obesity is a condition in which excessive fat accumulates in the body. This usually happens when a person eats more food than the body needs, especially foods rich in fats and sugars. Eating too many fried foods, sweets, fast foods, ghee, butter, and oily snacks such as samosa, poori, and chips can lead to obesity. Lack of physical activity and exercise also contributes to this condition. Obesity can lead to several health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood p
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
What is a balanced diet?
A balanced diet is a diet that contains all the essential nutrients in the correct proportions required by the body. These nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibres, and water. A balanced diet also includes different types of food such as cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk, and fats. Each type of food provides specific nutrients that help the body grow, repair tissues, and protect against diseases. Eating a balanced diet helps maintain
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
What are the major nutrients needed for the growth of our body?
Our body requires several nutrients for proper growth, development, and good health. The major nutrients present in food are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibres (roughage), and water. Each nutrient performs a specific function in the body. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy and help us perform daily activities. Proteins are needed for the growth and repair of body tissues and muscles. Fats also provide energy and help in keeping the body warm. Vi
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
Boojho was having difficulty in seeing things in dim light. The doctor tested his eyesight and prescribed a particular vitamin supplement. He also advised him to include a few food items in his diet. (a) Which deficiency disease is he suffering from? (b) Which food component may be lacking in his diet? Suggest some food items that he should include in his diet, (any four)
Solution: Boojho is suffering from night blindness which results in difficulty of seeing things in dim light. Deficiency of vitamin A causes night Hence vitamin A might be lacking in his diet. In his diet, Boojho can include food items such as carrot, spinach, papaya, milk, green leafy, vegetables, fish oil, etc. which are rich in vitamin A.
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
Water does not provide nutrients, yet it is an important component of food’.
Water is an important component of our food because Water help carry nutrients from food to all cells in our body and oxygen to Water helps in flushing out toxins and wastes in the form of urine and Water allows the body to absorb and assimilate vitamins, minerals Water helps to regulate body
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
Minerals and vitamins are needed in very small quantities by our body as compared to other components, yet, they are an important part of a balanced diet’. Explain the statement.
Minerals and vitamins are needed in very small quantities but are essential for the normal functioning of our body. Because They are protective foods which help in protecting our body against They help in maintaining the normal growth of our They provide good immunity levels which leads to good
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
a) List all those components of food that provide nutrients. (b) Mention two components of food that do not provide nutrients.
(a) Components of food that provide nutrients are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. (b) Components of food that do not provide nutrients are water and roughage.
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
1. Paheli avoids eating vegetables but likes to eat biscuits, noodles and white bread. She frequently complains of stomach ache and constipation. What are the food items that she should include in her diet to get rid of the problem? Give reason for your answer.
Paheli should include whole grains, whole pulses, fresh fruits and vegetables in her diet to get rid of her problems. These food items contain roughage (dietary fiber) which is lacking in Paheli’s diet. Paheli should avoid eating biscuits, noodles and white bread as they are made up of refined flour (Maida) which does not contain any roughage or fiber. Roughage prevents constipation.
- ScienceClass 6CBSE
Paheli and Boojho peeled some potatoes and cut them into small pieces. They washed and boiled them in water. They threw away the excess water and fried them in oil adding salt and spices. Although the potato dish tasted very good, its nutrient value was less. Suggest a method of cooking potatoes that will not lower the nutrients in them.
Potatoes are nutritious vegetables that provide carbohydrates, vitamins (especially vitamin C), minerals and dietary fiber. Consuming potatoes along with their skin (peel) provides extra dietary fiber and nutrients. A method of cooking potatoes that will not lower their nutrient value is: Wash the potatoes and cut them into thin slices. Cook the potatoes with some water along with little amount of oil and by adding salt and spices. Cover the cooking pot while cooking. This met