Nutrient cycle in the oceans

A nutrient is a substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken in from its environment. Non-autotrophic organisms typically acquire nutrients by the ingestion of foods. Methods for nutrient intake vary, with animals and protists having an internal digestive system, but plants externally digesting nutrients before ingesting them. Protists (ˈproʊtɨst are a diverse group of eukaryotic Microorganisms Historically protists were treated as the kingdom Protista but this The effects of nutrients are dose-dependent.

Organic nutrients include carbohydrates, fats, proteins (or their building blocks, amino acids), and vitamins. Carbohydrates (from ' Hydrates of Carbon ' or saccharides ( Greek σάκχαρον meaning " Sugar " are the most Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and largely insoluble in water Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl In Chemistry, an amino acid is a Molecule containing both Amine and Carboxyl Functional groups In Biochemistry, this A vitamin is an Organic compound required as a Nutrient in tiny amounts by an Organism. Inorganic chemical compounds such as minerals; water and oxygen may also be considered nutrients. A mineral is a naturally occurring substance formed through geological processes that has a characteristic chemical composition a highly ordered atomic structure and specific Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the A nutrient is essential to an organism if it cannot be synthesized by the organism in sufficient quantities and must be obtained from an external source. An essential nutrient is a Nutrient required for normal body functioning that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from a dietary source Nutrients needed in relatively large quantities are called macronutrients and those needed in relatively small quantities are called micronutrients. Micronutrients are Nutrients needed for life in small quantities

See healthy diet for more information on the role of nutrients in human nutrition. A healthy diet is one that is arrived at with the intent of improving or maintaining optimal Health. Nutrition (also called nourishment or aliment) is the provision to cells and Organisms of the materials necessary (in the form of food to support

Types of human nutrient

Main article: Nutrition

Macronutrients are defined in several different ways. Nutrition (also called nourishment or aliment) is the provision to cells and Organisms of the materials necessary (in the form of food to support

• The chemical elements humans consume in the largest quantities are carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur. A chemical element is a type of Atom that is distinguished by its Atomic number; that is by the number of Protons in its nucleus. Carbon (kɑɹbən is a Chemical element with the symbol C and its Atomic number is 6 Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Nitrogen (ˈnaɪtɹəʤɪn is a Chemical element that has the symbol N and Atomic number 7 and Atomic weight 14 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Phosphorus, (ˈfɒsfərəs is the Chemical element that has the symbol P and Atomic number 15 Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16
• The classes of chemical compounds humans consume in the largest quantities and which provide bulk energy are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. A chemical compound is a substance consisting of two or more different elements chemically bonded together in a fixed proportion by Mass. Carbohydrates (from ' Hydrates of Carbon ' or saccharides ( Greek σάκχαρον meaning " Sugar " are the most Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and largely insoluble in water Water and atmospheric oxygen also must be consumed in large quantities, but are not always considered "food" or "nutrients". Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the
• Calcium, salt (sodium and chloride), magnesium, and potassium (along with phosphorus and sulfur) are sometimes added to the list of macronutrients because they are required in relatively large quantities compared to other vitamins and minerals. Calcium (ˈkælsiəm is the Chemical element with the symbol Ca and Atomic number 20 Salt is a Dietary mineral composed primarily of Sodium chloride that is essential for Animal life but toxic to most land plants Sodium (ˈsoʊdiəm is an element which has the symbol Na( Latin natrium, from Arabic natrun) atomic number 11 atomic mass 22 The chloride Ion is formed when the element Chlorine picks up one Electron to form an Anion (negatively-charged ion Cl&minus Magnesium (mægˈniːziəm is a Chemical element with the symbol Mg, Atomic number 12 Atomic weight 24 Potassium (pəˈtæsiəm is a Chemical element. It has the symbol K (kalium from qalīy Atomic number 19 and Atomic mass 39 They are sometimes referred to as the macrominerals. Dietary minerals are the Chemical elements required by living Organisms other than the four elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and

The remaining vitamins, minerals, or elements, are called micronutrients because they are required in relatively small quantities. Dietary minerals are the Chemical elements required by living Organisms other than the four elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and

Substances that provide energy

• Carbohydrates are compounds made up of sugars. Carbohydrates (from ' Hydrates of Carbon ' or saccharides ( Greek σάκχαρον meaning " Sugar " are the most Sugar is a class of edible Crystalline substances mainly Sucrose, Lactose, and Fructose. Carbohydrates are classified by their number of sugar units: monosaccharides (such as glucose and fructose), disaccharides (such as sucrose and lactose), oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides (such as starch, glycogen, and cellulose). Monosaccharides (from Greek monos: single sacchar: sugar are the most basic unit of Carbohydrates They consist of one sugar and Glucose (Glc a Monosaccharide (or simple Sugar) also known as grape sugar, is an important Carbohydrate in Biology. Fructose (also levulose or laevulose) is a simple reducing Sugar ( Monosaccharide) found in many foods and is one of the three A disaccharide is a Sugar (a Carbohydrate) composed of two Monosaccharides 'Disaccharide' is one of the four chemical groupings of carbohydrates ( Solubility of Pure SucroseTemperature(Cg Lactose (also referred to as milk sugar) is a Sugar which is found most notably in Milk. An oligosaccharide is a Saccharide polymer containing a small number (typically three to ten of component sugars also known as Simple sugars. Polysaccharides are relatively complex Carbohydrates They are Polymers made up of many Monosaccharides joined together by Glycosidic bonds Starch, CAS # 9005-25-8 Chemical formula (C6H10O5n is a Polysaccharide Glycogen is a Polysaccharide of Glucose (Glc which functions as the secondary short term energy storage in Animal cells Cellulose is an Organic compound with the formula, a Polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to over ten thousand β(1→4

• Proteins are organic compounds that consists of the amino acids joined by peptide bonds. Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl An organic compound is any member of a large class of Chemical compounds whose Molecules contain Carbon. In Chemistry, an amino acid is a Molecule containing both Amine and Carboxyl Functional groups In Biochemistry, this A peptide bond is a Chemical bond formed between two Molecules when the Carboxyl group of one molecule reacts with the The body cannot manufacture some of the amino acids (termed essential amino acids); the diet must supply these. In Chemistry, an amino acid is a Molecule containing both Amine and Carboxyl Functional groups In Biochemistry, this An essential amino acid or indispensable amino acid is an Amino acid that cannot be synthesized de novo by the organism (usually referring to In nutrition, proteins are broken down through digestion by proteases back into free amino acids. Nutrition (also called nourishment or aliment) is the provision to cells and Organisms of the materials necessary (in the form of food to support Protein catabolism is the breakdown of Proteins into Amino acids and simple derivative compounds for transport into the cell through the Plasma membrane Digestion is the breaking down of chemicals in the body into a form that can be absorbed A protease is any Enzyme that conducts Proteolysis, that is begins protein Catabolism by Hydrolysis of the Peptide bonds that link

• Fats consist of a glycerin molecule with three fatty acids attached. Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and largely insoluble in water In Chemistry, especially Biochemistry, a fatty acid is a Carboxylic acid often with a long unbranched Aliphatic tail ( chain) which Fatty acids are unbranched hydrocarbon chains, connected by single bonds alone (saturated fatty acids) or by both double and single bonds (unsaturated fatty acids). In Organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an Organic compound consisting entirely of Hydrogen and Carbon. Saturated fat is Fat that consists of Triglycerides containing only saturated Fatty acids Explanation Fat that occurs An unsaturated fat is a Fat or Fatty acid in which there are one or more Double bonds in the fatty acid chain Fats are needed to keep cell membranes functioning properly, to insulate body organs against shock, to keep body temperature stable, and to maintain healthy skin and hair. The cell membrane (also called the plasma membrane, plasmalemma, or "phospholipid bilayer" is a Selectively permeable Lipid bilayer The body does not manufacture certain fatty acids (termed essential fatty acids) and the diet must supply these. Essential fatty acids, or EFAs are Fatty acids that cannot be constructed within an organism from other components (generally all references are to humans by any known chemical

Fat has an energy content of 9 kcal/g (~37. In Physics and other Sciences energy (from the Greek grc ἐνέργεια - Energeia, "activity operation" from grc ἐνεργός 7 kJ/g); proteins and carbohydrates 4 kcal/g (~16. Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl Carbohydrates (from ' Hydrates of Carbon ' or saccharides ( Greek σάκχαρον meaning " Sugar " are the most 7 kJ/g). Ethanol (grain alcohol) has an energy content of 7 kcal/g (~29. 3 kJ/g). ^[1]

Substances that support metabolism

• Dietary minerals are generally trace elements, salts, or ions such as copper and iron. Dietary minerals are the Chemical elements required by living Organisms other than the four elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Some of these minerals are essential to human metabolism.

• Vitamins are organic compounds essential to the body. A vitamin is an Organic compound required as a Nutrient in tiny amounts by an Organism. They usually act as coenzymes or cofactors for various proteins in the body. Coenzymes are small organic non- Protein Molecules that carry chemical groups between Enzymes Coenzymes are sometimes referred to as cosubstrates A cofactor is a non-protein Chemical compound that is bound (either tightly or loosely to an Enzyme and is required for Catalysis.

• Water is an essential nutrient and is the solvent in which all the chemical reactions of life take place. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. A solvent is a liquid or gas that dissolves a solid liquid or gaseous Solute, resulting in a Solution.

Nutrients and plants

Main articles: Plant nutrition and Fertilizer

The strip of a green alga (Enteromorpha) along this shore indicates that there is a nearby source of nutrients (probably nitrates or ammonia from a small estuary). Plant nutrition is the study of the chemical elements that are necessary for plant growth Fertilizers ( also spelt fertiliser are chemical compounds given to Plants to promote growth they are usually applied either through the soil for uptake by plant

The chemical elements consumed in the greatest quantities by plants are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbon (kɑɹbən is a Chemical element with the symbol C and its Atomic number is 6 Hydrogen (ˈhaɪdrədʒən is the Chemical element with Atomic number 1 Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the These are present in the environment in the form of water and carbon dioxide; energy is provided by sunlight. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. Carbon dioxide ( Chemical formula:) is a Chemical compound composed of two Oxygen Atoms covalently bonded to a single Sunlight, in the broad sense is the total spectrum of the Electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur are also needed in relatively large quantities. Nitrogen (ˈnaɪtɹəʤɪn is a Chemical element that has the symbol N and Atomic number 7 and Atomic weight 14 Phosphorus, (ˈfɒsfərəs is the Chemical element that has the symbol P and Atomic number 15 Potassium (pəˈtæsiəm is a Chemical element. It has the symbol K (kalium from qalīy Atomic number 19 and Atomic mass 39 Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16 Together, these are the elemental macronutrients for plants, often represented by the acronym CHNOPS. Acronyms, initialisms, and alphabetisms are Abbreviations that are formed using the initial components in a phrase or name Usually they are sourced from inorganic (e. g. carbon dioxide, water, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate) or organic (e. Carbon dioxide ( Chemical formula:) is a Chemical compound composed of two Oxygen Atoms covalently bonded to a single Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. In Inorganic chemistry, a nitrate is a salt of Nitric acid with an Ion composed of one Nitrogen and three Oxygen atoms A phosphate, an Inorganic chemical, is a salt of Phosphoric acid. g. carbohydrates, lipids, proteins) compounds, although elemental diatomic molecules of nitrogen and (especially) oxygen are often used. Carbohydrates (from ' Hydrates of Carbon ' or saccharides ( Greek σάκχαρον meaning " Sugar " are the most Lipids are broadly defined as any fat- Soluble ( lipophilic) naturally-occurring Molecule, such as fats oils waxes cholesterol sterols fat-soluble Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl A chemical compound is a substance consisting of two or more different elements chemically bonded together in a fixed proportion by Mass. Diatomic molecules are molecules made only of two Atoms of either the same or different Chemical elements The prefix di- means two in Greek

Other chemical elements are also necessary to carry out various life processes and build structures; see fertilizer and micronutrient for more information. Fertilizers ( also spelt fertiliser are chemical compounds given to Plants to promote growth they are usually applied either through the soil for uptake by plant Micronutrients are Nutrients needed for life in small quantities

Some of these are considered macronutrients in certain organisms. The acronym C. HOPKiN'S CaFe Mg (to be used as C. Hopkins coffee mug) is used by some students to remember the list as: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Potassium (K), Nitrogen, Sulfur, Calcium, Iron (Fe), and Magnesium (Mg). Silicon, chloride, sodium, copper, zinc, and molybdenum are sometimes also included, but are in other cases considered micronutrients.

Oversupply of plant nutrients in the environment can cause excessive plant and algae growth. Algae ( sing. alga are a large and diverse group of simple typically Autotrophic organisms ranging from Unicellular to Multicellular forms Eutrophication, as this process is called, may cause imblances in population numbers and other nutrients that can be harmful to certain species. Eutrophication is an increase in chemical Nutrients -- typically compounds containing Nitrogen or Phosphorus -- in an Ecosystem, and may occur For example, an algal bloom can deplete the oxygen available for fish to breathe. An algal bloom is a rapid increase in the population of Algae in an aquatic system Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Causes include water pollution from sewage or runoff from farms (carrying excess agricultural fertilizer). Water pollution is the contamination of Water bodies such as Lakes Rivers Oceans and Groundwater caused by human activities Sewage is the mainly liquid Waste containing some solids produced by humans which typically consists of washing water Feces, Urine, laundry waste and other RUNOFF was the first Computer Text formatting program to see significant use Nitrogen and phosphorus are most commonly the limiting factor in growth, and thus the most likely to trigger eutrophication when introduced artificially. A limiting factor or limiting resource is one that controls a process such as organism growth or species Population size or distribution

Essential and non-essential nutrients

Main article: Essential nutrient

Nutrients are frequently categorized as essential or nonessential. An essential nutrient is a Nutrient required for normal body functioning that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from a dietary source Essential nutrients are unable to be synthesized internally (either at all, or in sufficient quantities), and so must be consumed by an organism from its environment. An essential nutrient is a Nutrient required for normal body functioning that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from a dietary source

For humans, these include essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamins, and certain dietary minerals. Essential fatty acids, or EFAs are Fatty acids that cannot be constructed within an organism from other components (generally all references are to humans by any known chemical An essential amino acid or indispensable amino acid is an Amino acid that cannot be synthesized de novo by the organism (usually referring to A vitamin is an Organic compound required as a Nutrient in tiny amounts by an Organism. Dietary minerals are the Chemical elements required by living Organisms other than the four elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen and water are also essential for human survival, but are generally not considered "food" when consumed in isolation. Oxygen (from the Greek roots ὀξύς (oxys (acid literally "sharp" from the taste of acids and -γενής (-genēs (producer literally begetteris the Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life.

Humans can derive energy from a wide variety of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and ethanol, and can synthesize other needed amnio acids from the essential nutrients. Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and largely insoluble in water Carbohydrates (from ' Hydrates of Carbon ' or saccharides ( Greek σάκχαρον meaning " Sugar " are the most Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl

Non-essential nutrients can still have a significant impact on health, whether beneficial or toxic. For example, most dietary fiber is not absorbed by the human digestive tract, but is important in digestion and absorption of otherwise harmful substances. Dietary fibers are the indigestible portion of plant foods that move food through the Digestive system, absorbing water and easing Defecation. Interest has recently increased in phytochemicals, which include many non-essential nutrients which may have health benefits. Phytochemicals are plant-derived chemical compounds under scientific research for their potential health-promoting properties but with unproved benefits

References

• Donatelle, Rebecca J. "Health: The Basic"

See also

• Ecological sanitation
• Nutrient density