Performance Indicator 5.2 Describe the importance of major nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in maintaining health and promoting growth, and explain the need for a constant input of energy for living organisms. 5.2a Food provides molecules that serve as fuel and building material for all organisms. 5.2b Foods contain a variety of substances which include carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, proteins, minerals, and water. Each has a vital purpose at the cellular level. 5.2c Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions in the body.
Metabolism is influenced by hormones, exercise, and diet.
5.2d Energy in foods is measured in calories. The total caloric value of each type of food varies. The number of calories a person requires varies with body weight, age, sex, activity level, and natural body efficiency. In order to maintain a balanced state, all organisms have a minimum daily intake of each type of nutrient based on species, size, age, sex, activity, etc. An imbalance in any of the nutrients can result in weight gain, weight loss, or a diseased state.