SUBJECT: SCIENCE

FORM: 5

1. NUTRITION AND GOOD

EATING HABITS

2. NUTRIENT
REQUIREMENT PLANTS

NUTRITION

3. THE NITROGEN
CYCLE

4. MANAGING FOOD
RESOURCES

1 NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS OF PLANTS

1.1 PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN GREEN PLANTS
Definition: Synthesize of food process by green plants in presence of sunlight using
water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Water + Carbon Dioxide

sunlight

Glucose + Oxygen

chlorophyll

How photosynthesis occur:

o
o

Water
Absorbed
through the
roots
Transport
along
xylem
to
the leaves

Carbon dioxide
o Absorbed
from
air
through the
stomata in
leaves

Sunlight
Supply
energy for
this process

Chlorophyll
Absorb
sunlight

Glucose
Combination
of hydrogen
and
carbon
dioxide

o
o

Oxygen
Waste
product
Released
from leaves
through
stomata

Importance of photosynthesis:
o Helps to maintain the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in atmosphere
o Supply foods to green plants, animals and human being
1.2 MACRONUTRIENTS
Definition: Minerals required by plants in large amount for their healthy growth
Macronutrients and their functions:
Macronutrient
Carbon (C)
Hydrogen (H)
Oxygen (O)
Nitrogen (N)
Phosphorus (P)
Potassium (K)
Calcium (Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)
Sulphur (S)

Function
To form carbohydrates, proteins and fats

To form hormones, proteins, nucleic acid and chlorophyll

To form proteins and nucleic acid
To stimulate the production of flowers and fruits
To form carbohydrates, proteins and new cells
To build up resistance for disease
To form cell walls
For growth
To form chlorophyll
To activate certain enzymes
To form certain amino acids
For growth

1.3 MICRONUTRIENTS
Definition: Minerals required by plants in very small amount for their healthy growth.
They also have known as trace elements.

Micronutrients and their functions:

Micronutrient
Boron (B)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Zinc (Zn)
Manganese (Mn)
Copper (Cu)
Iron (Fe)

Function
To help in the breaking up of the carbohydrates
To help nitrogen to carry out its functions
To activate certain enzymes

To form enzymes for photosynthesis

To form chlorophyll

Effects of Deficiency of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium on Plant Growth

Macronutrient
Nitrogen (N)
Phosphorus (P)
Potassium (K)

Deficiency symptom
Stunted (short) growth
Leaves are small, yellow and drop off easily
Poor growth especially the roots.
Few flower and fruits
Leaves turn yellow (chlorosis)
Plants are weak and die before maturing.

2 NITROGEN CYCLE AND ITS IMPORTANCE.

2.1 NITROGEN CYCLE

Action of denitrifying
bacteria

Nitrogen in atmosphere

Synthesis of nitrogen fixing

bacteria

Lightning
Nitrates

Nitrates

Action of nitrifying bacteria

Absorption
Absorption

Nitrites

Plant proteins
Decay by bacteria and fungi

Action of nitrifying bacteria

Nutrition

Ammonium in compounds
Animal proteins
Decay by bacteria and fungi

2.2 IMPORTANCE OF NITROGEN CYCLE

o
o
o
o

Maintain soil fertility

Increasing production of crops
Maintaining the amount of nitrogen in atmosphere
Reducing pollution of the environment

3 MANAGING FOOD RESOURCES AND HEALTHY EATING HABITS

- Plant and animals are said to be our food resources. Thus, we should manage these food
resources so that there will be a continuous food supply for us.
- To manage these food resources, we have to do a lot of following things:
Avoid wastage
Ensure that we do not cook more than we can eat.
- Besides, we have to practice healthy eating habits in our daily life. It can be done by:
Eat well-balanced diet
Avoid skipping meals especially breakfast
Eat our food slowly so that the brain has enough time to register fullness.
Avoid taking excessive amount of sugars, salts and fats in our food