Q.Write briefly about ``Micronutrients''.

Concept and Intuition

Our bodies are complex machines that require various nutrients to function correctly. These nutrients can be broadly categorized by their primary roles: providing energy, building and repairing tissues, regulating body processes, and aiding digestion. Understanding the fundamental role of each food group is key to matching them with their functions.

• Macronutrients (Carbohydrates, Fats, Proteins): These are needed in large quantities and provide energy.
  • Carbohydrates are the body's preferred and most immediate source of energy.
  • Fats are a concentrated energy source and play crucial roles in hormone production and vitamin absorption.
  • Proteins are the building blocks, essential for growth, repair, and maintenance of virtually all body tissues.
• Roughage (Dietary Fiber): While not providing energy, roughage is vital for digestive health, adding bulk to stool and facilitating its passage.

Let's match each food group to its specific function based on these principles.

Step-by-step Matching

1. Matching Protein:

   • Proteins are often called the "building blocks" of the body. They are crucial for the growth, maintenance, and repair of tissues, muscles, organs, and cells. They also form enzymes and hormones.
   • Looking at List-II, function (iii) "Repair body cells" directly aligns with the primary role of protein.
   • So, (a) Protein → (iii) Repair body cells.

2. Matching Carbohydrates:

   • Carbohydrates are the body's primary and most readily available source of energy. They are broken down into glucose, which fuels cellular activities, especially for the brain and muscles.
   • Function (i) "These are the main sources of energy" perfectly describes carbohydrates.
   • So, (b) Carbohydrates → (i) These are the main sources of energy.

3. Matching Fats:

   • Fats are a concentrated source of energy, but they also have other vital roles. They insulate the body, protect organs, and are essential for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamins A, D, E, and K).
   • Function (iv) "It helps in transporting fat-soluble vitamins" highlights this specific and important role of fats. While fats do provide energy, carbohydrates are considered the main source, making (iv) a more distinct match for fats in this context.
   • So, (c) Fats → (iv) It helps in transporting fat-soluble vitamins.

4. Matching Roughage:

   • Roughage, also known as dietary fiber, consists of indigestible plant material. It adds bulk to the diet, aids in bowel movements, and helps prevent constipation. Because it is not digested, it provides very little to no energy (calories) to the body.
   • Function (ii) "It is a negligible source of energy" accurately describes roughage.
   • So, (d) Roughage → (ii) It is a negligible source of energy.

Consolidating the Matches

Based on the step-by-step analysis, we have the following pairs:

• (a) Protein → (iii)
• (b) Carbohydrates → (i)
• (c) Fats → (iv)
• (d) Roughage → (ii)

Now, let's check the given options:

• (A) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) - Incorrect
• (B) (iv) (iii) (i) (ii) - Incorrect
• (C) (iii) (iv) (i) (ii) - Incorrect
• (D) (iii) (i) (iv) (ii) - This matches our derived pairs.

Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a widely used screening tool that relates a person's weight to their height to classify them as underweight, healthy weight, overweight or obese. It is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in metres, giving a value in kg/m squared. For example, a person of 70 kg and 1.75 m has a BMI of 70 divided by (1.75 times 1.75), which is about 22.9 — within the healthy range.

Using the standard adult classification, the ranges are:

• Underweight: below 18.5 — possibly too little weight for the height, with a risk of nutritional deficiency.
• Healthy (normal) weight: 18.5 to 24.9 — the range linked with the lowest weight-related health risk.
• Overweight: 25.0 to 29.9 — excess weight that raises health risks.
• Obese: 30.0 and above — associated with the highest risk of conditions such as type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Comparing the options against these ranges, only 18.5 - 24.9 corresponds to a healthy weight.

Water makes up a large share of body mass and performs several functions, but the one most emphasised in the context of sport and physical activity is thermoregulation: as muscles work, they generate heat, and the body relies on water-based sweat, which evaporates from the skin, to dissipate that heat and keep core temperature within a safe range. Without adequate water, an athlete's ability to regulate temperature breaks down quickly, leading to heat exhaustion. Water does not itself supply energy (that is the role of carbohydrates, fats and proteins), and while it supports many bodily processes, the option that is specifically and correctly attributed to water here is temperature regulation.

Part (a) — Micronutrients

Micronutrients are the nutrients required by the body in very small quantities — measured in milligrams or micrograms. They are of two kinds: vitamins (e.g. A, B-complex, C, D) and minerals (e.g. calcium, iron, iodine, zinc). Although they provide no energy, they are essential because they regulate metabolic processes, support growth and development, strengthen immunity, and prevent deficiency diseases — for example, Vitamin A protects vision, Vitamin C aids immunity, and iron forms haemoglobin. The prefix "micro" refers to the small amount needed, not to small importance.

Part (b) — Why the body requires food supplements

1. To fill nutritional deficiencies/gaps in the diet. An ordinary diet may not always supply adequate amounts of every nutrient — for example iron, calcium, protein or vitamins may fall short. Food supplements make up this shortfall and help prevent deficiency diseases such as anaemia or weak bones.
2. To meet increased nutritional demands. During intense training, rapid growth, pregnancy, recovery from illness or heavy physical work, the body's requirement for certain nutrients rises beyond what normal meals provide. Supplements help the athlete maintain performance, aid recovery and support tissue building when demand is high.