Mineral Nutrients
Definition of Mineral Nutrient
Naturally occurring inorganic nutrients in the food and soil essential for the proper functioning of the plant and animal body
More About Mineral Nutrient
- Minerals are among the essential elements required by the body including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and water
- Though required in minute quantities, minerals are essentially required by both the plants and animals
- Plants obtain them from the soil through roots. There are about 16 minerals nutrients. These are required for a healthy plant growth. If they are not available in the required concentrations in the soil, fertilisers are added to soil for enriching the mineral supply
- Minerals such as Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Chlorine, Sulphur and Potassium are required in abundance when compared to others and hence are termed as major minerals
- Minerals such as Iron, Zinc, Boron, Molybdenum, Nickel, Iodine, Manganese, Cobalt and Copper are required in very minute quantities and hence are known as “trace elements” or minor minerals
- Each of the mineral has a specific function and play vital role in the metabolic processes
For Example:
- Zinc is essential for protein manufacturing and cell division
- Iodine is essential for synthesis of the thyroid hormone called Thyroxin
- Potassium functions as an electrolyte and helps in fluid balance
- Minerals form about 4% of body weight in humans
- The minerals are obtained by the food we eat and hence are known as dietary minerals
- Deficiency or excess of the minerals in the diet causes diseased condition in plants as well as animals
- Mineral deficiency diseases such as
- Deficiency of Iron causes Anaemia
- Deficiency of Calcium and Phosphorous causes osteoporosis, osteomalacia
- Potassium deficiency causes hyperkalemia
- In addition , sterility, hypogonadism, dwarfism, goitre and dermatitis also occur due to mineral deficiency in humans
- Deficiency of minerals in plants results in chlorosis, necrosis, stunted growth, and weathering
Questions based on Mineral Nutrient:
1) Deficiency of which of the following mineral causes Anaemia?
a) Cobalt
b) Iodine
c) Potassium
d) Iron
Solution: (d) Iron deficiency causes Anaemia
2) Which of the following mineral helps in the protein manufacturing process?
a) Iron
b) Nickel
c) Zinc
d) Iodine
Solution: (c) Zinc is essential for protein manufacturing and cell division.
3) Some minerals are also known as “trace elements”.
a) True
b) False
Solution: (a) Some mineral elements are required in minute quantities and hence are also known as “trace elements”.