Role of Macronutrients And Micronutrients

What Are Nutrients?

Nutrients are required by the body to operate well. They maintain our brain, skin, bones, muscles, nerves, and other essential systems in good working order. Of these, some are needed in larger amounts and are called macronutrients, while others that are needed in smaller amounts are called micronutrients. Knowing their functions is very important to develop health and well-being in human beings and plants.

What Are Micronutrients?

Micronutrients are those nutrients which the body requires in a relatively smaller amount for growth and development. They form constituents of metabolic activities taking place in the body. They consist of vitamins and minerals. As our body is unable to produce vitamins and minerals, they need to be entered into our system from external foodstuffs. Their micronutrient capacity differs from one food to the other, so to be on the safe side, one should have a diversified diet to consume sufficient vitamins and minerals.

These micronutrients also help prevent and combat some diseases. They, however, need to be ingested in sufficient quantities; excess and deficient intake may lead to a range of disorders, such as blindness or mental retardation.

Types Of Micronutrients

Micronutrients, which include all types of both vitamins and minerals, can be further divided into the following types:

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Most of the water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body to any great extent and excess amounts are excreted in the urine when intake is excessive. Water-soluble vitamins have numerous functions in energy production and since they are not stored, adequate dietary intake is necessary regularly from different food sources.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

These vitamins are not water-soluble and thus get stored in the liver and fatty tissues for use later on. Essential fat-soluble vitamins consist of A, D, E, and K. These particular vitamins perform very significant roles in immune functions, bone development, vision, and even cellular protection.

Macrominerals

Macrominerals are those required in relatively larger quantities as compared to trace minerals. Some important macrominerals and their functions include the following:

1. Calcium: This is important for the proper structure and functioning of the bones.
2. Phosphorus: This is essential in forming the cell membrane structure.
3. Magnesium: Present in enzyme reactions.
4. Sodium: To maintain fluid balance and blood pressure.
5. Chloride: Help to maintain fluid balance and in the manufacture of digestive juices.
6. Potassium: Essential for nerve impulses to transmit the message and for muscles to work.
7. Sulfur: Found in all living tissues.

Trace Minerals

These are absorbed in very small quantities but have some significant roles in the body. The most important trace minerals are iron, manganese, copper, zinc, iodine, fluoride, and selenium.

Micronutrients In Plants

There exist seven essential micronutrients in plants, which regulate various physiological processes, such as cell membrane permeability and osmotic pressure. The main micronutrients in plants include the following: boron (B), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), and chlorine (Cl). Deficiency in any of the nutrients will negatively affect growth and development.

Boron (B)

It is involved in cell wall formation and cell wall strengthening. It also has a key role in flowering, fruiting, cell division, and pollen germination. A deficiency of boron may reduce seed and grain production, especially under the conditions of drought.

Zinc(Zn)

Zinc is essential for photosynthesis, energy production, and growth regulation. Zinc deficiency may cause slower maturity and reduced leaf size, more common under the conditions of cold and wet springs.

Manganese Mn

Manganese takes part in the process of photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism. The main symptoms of a deficiency are early leaf drop and delayed maturity.

Iron Fe

Iron takes part in energy transfer, nitrogen reduction, and fixation. Iron deficiency causes yellowing of the leaves, especially between the veins.

Copper Cu

Copper takes part in photosynthesis, grain formation, and toughening of cell walls. Its insufficiency can result in dwarfing and yellowish colour of leaves.

Molybdenum(Mo)

Molybdenum acts in the formation of pollen and nitrogen fixation. The lack of this element in plants causes scarcity in the growth of fruit or grain.

Chlorine (Cl)

Chlorine acts on the phenomenon of osmosis and ionic balance, hence playing a crucial role in photosynthesis. The insufficiency of chlorine results in lower resistance, which is followed by a decrease in growth.

Deficiency Of Micronutrients In Plants

The following table summarizes the deficiency symptoms of different micronutrients in plants:

Micronutrient Deficiencies In Humans

Common deficiencies in micronutrients in humans are:

Key Points Of Micronutrients

1. Micronutrients are those elements which the organism requires in traces.
2. The essential micronutrients for various animals are iron, cobalt, chromium, iodine, copper, zinc, and molybdenum.
3. The deficiency of any of the above nutrients will have pernicious effects on the overall growth and development.
4. In plants, micronutrients play a vital role in balanced nutrition. It supports all the biological functions.
5. Their deficiency may cause stunted growth, chlorosis, necrosis, delayed maturity and senescence.
6. The micronutrients of plants generally bind themselves actively to the soil particles and can be solved highly in acidic conditions.

Conclusion

Both macronutrients and micronutrients are essential for a living organism. While the macronutrient provides energy and building blocks in an organism, the micronutrient facilitates metabolic processes. A proper balance between these two classes of nutrients is necessary to maintain the health of human beings as well as plants. Knowledge about their roles can be applied to make correct dietary choices and to improve farming practices.