Digestion Knowledge Organiser

Nutrients are essential substances that the body needs. There are different types of nutrient, each with its own purpose: Carbohydrates provide energy. They are found in bread, potatoes, rice and

pasta. Lipids (fats and oils) provide energy and insulation. Lipid-rich foods include

butter and chips. Proteins provide materials to make new cells and to repair damaged tissues,

such as muscles. Beans, eggs, fish, meat and milk are high in protein. Vitamins are vital in many processes. For example, vitamin K helps blood to

clot and vitamin C prevents illness. Fruit and vegetables are vitamin-rich. There are 16 essential minerals. These include iron, used to transport

oxygen in the blood, and calcium, used in making bones and teeth.

What is food energy? Food stores energy. Eating transfers the stored energy from the food to the animal that eats it. The energy keeps the animal alive, and allows it to carry out its activities. Each person needs a different amount of energy depending on factors such as: gender (male or female) age amount of daily activity If you look on the side of food packets you will see the food's energy content. This is usually measured in kilojoules, kJ.

Digestion turns large insoluble substances into small soluble ones. The organs of the digestive system help us digest food. Many of them produce enzymes (substances that are catalysts and help speed up food digestion).