Difference between Macronutrients And Micronutrients
Macronutrients and micronutrients are essential nutrients required for life processes. While macronutrients provide energy and structural support, micronutrients control metabolic, enzymatic, and immune functions. Understanding their differences is crucial for NEET Biology and maintaining overall health.
This Story also Contains
- What Are Nutrients?
- Macronutrients – Definition & Functions
- Micronutrients – Definition & Functions
- Key Differences Between Macronutrients And Micronutrients
- Role Of Macronutrients And Micronutrients In Health
- Macronutrients vs Micronutrients NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)
- Recommended Video on Difference between Macronutrients And Micronutrients
What Are Nutrients?
Nutrients are the biological substances which are primarily required for the proper working of the cells, tissues and organs in the organism. They play a crucial role in the body associated with growth, repair work and shielding from the microorganisms causing diseases. As these nutrients cannot be synthesized by the mechanism of the organism independently, they have to be supplied through external sources.
Food is the chief source from which all these nutrients are derived. The main types of nutrients are broadly classified into two categories: macronutrients and micronutrients. One important way to remain healthy and continue a balanced diet is to differentiate between these two categories.
Macronutrients – Definition & Functions
Macronutrients are essential in larger amounts to meet the energy requirements of the body and to sustain growth and development.
Functions:
Provide energy and build body tissues
Maintain metabolism, immune function and hormone balance
Assist in growth and repair
Examples:
Carbohydrates: Primary energy source
Proteins: Growth and tissue repair
Fats: Energy storage, hormone synthesis
Micronutrients – Definition & Functions
Micronutrients are required only in small quantities. However, they are crucial for various biochemical functions and health in general.
Functions:
Regulate enzyme activity and metabolic pathways
Strengthen immunity and nerve functions
Prevent deficiency diseases and oxidative stress
Examples:
Vitamins: A, B-complex, C, D, E, K
Minerals: Iron, zinc, copper, iodine
Key Differences Between Macronutrients And Micronutrients
The difference between macronutrients and micronutrients are:
Feature | Macronutrients | Micronutrients |
Definition | Nutrients required in large amounts, measured in grams. | Nutrients needed in smaller amounts, measured in milligrams or micrograms. |
Primary Functions | Provide energy, support growth, and maintain body tissues. | Support biochemical functions, prevent diseases, and aid in metabolism. |
Types | Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. | Vitamins and minerals (e.g., iron, calcium, vitamin C). |
Sources | Found in cereals, fish, legumes, meat, nuts, and oils. | Found in fruits, vegetables, eggs, and dairy products. |
Deficiency Effects | Severe deficiency can lead to kwashiorkor, marasmus, and malnutrition. | Deficiency can cause anemia (iron), goiter (iodine), and scurvy (vitamin C). |
Excess Intake Effects | Overconsumption can lead to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. | Excessive intake can cause toxicity, such as liver damage (vitamin A) or nerve damage (vitamin B6). |
Concentration in Body | High concentrations, typically around 1 mg or 1000 micrograms per gram of tissue. | Low concentrations, usually below 1 mg per gram. |
Role in Health | Essential for energy production and metabolic processes. | Crucial for immune function, growth, and overall health maintenance. |
Role Of Macronutrients And Micronutrients In Health
Macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins and fats provide energy, build and repair body tissues, support growth and help maintain body structure and temperature. Micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals regulate metabolism, boost immunity, support bone and blood formation and protect cells from oxidative damage. Together, they ensure proper functioning, development and overall health.
Macronutrients vs Micronutrients NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)
The key concepts to be covered under this topic for different exams are:
Macronutrients vs Micronutrients
Macronutrients and Macronutrients (function and examples)
Practice Questions for NEET
Q1. Which of the following pairs have micronutrients?
Calcium and sodium
Sulphur and potassium
Manganese and phosphorus
Iron and boron
Correct answer: 4) Iron and boron
Explanation:
Micronutrients, otherwise termed trace elements, are necessary for various physiological activities and are required in very minute quantities (less than 10 mmol per kilogram of dry matter). Their roles include aiding in growth and development, while also involved in metabolic activities. Some examples include iron, crucial for the oxygen transport system within the blood and boron which is significant to plant growth as well as plant reproductive health. Though required only in trace quantities, these elements are indispensable to health.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Iron and boron.
Q2. There are 8 micronutrients Iron, Molybdenum, Copper Reaction, Magnesium, Zinc, Chlorine, Boron and ___.
Potassium
Nickel
Nitrogen
Calcium spindle
Correct answer: 2) Nickel
Explanation:
Micronutrients are essential elements that plants need in small amounts to grow, develop, and reproduce These include Iron (Fe), Molybdenum (Mo), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Chlorine (Cl), Boron (B), and Nickel (Ni). Deficiency of these micronutrients can lead to poor growth, chlorosis, and other issues related to growth in plants.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2) Nickel.
Q3. Examples of primary macronutrients are________.
Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)
Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S)
Iron (Fe), boron (B), and copper (Cu)
Zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni)
Correct answer: 1) Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)
Explanation:
The primary nutrients include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) and The secondary nutrients include calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S).
Iron (Fe), boron (B), copper (Cu), chlorine (Cl), Manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni) are the list of Micronutrients.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1) nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
Also Read:
Recommended Video on Difference between Macronutrients And Micronutrients
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The deficiency in macronutrients results in serious health complications such as kwashiorkor, marasmus, and malnutrition.
Deficiency in micronutrients causes conditions like anaemia, goitre, and scurvy, among others, depending on the nutrient deficiency.
The reason both types of nutrients are crucial in the diet is that they participate very importantly in the maintenance of health, and are involved in growth, repair, and protection against diseases.
Macronutrients are those nutrients which the body requires in large measure, and for this topic, refer specifically to carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—all of which are energizing and promote the continuation of life processes in the body.
Micronutrients are generally referred to as those nutrients which are required in smaller amounts and include vitamins and minerals that enable particular biochemical processes and the prevention of various diseases.