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Agniveer Navy MR Nutrition in Plants & Animals

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This page covers Agniveer Navy MR Nutrition in Plants & Animals with complete concept notes, 12 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.

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Concept Notes

Nutrition in Plants & Animals— Rules & Concept

Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic

NUTRITION IN PLANTS & ANIMALS --- CORE CONCEPT ---

Nutrition is the process by which living organisms obtain food and use it for energy, growth, and repair. Plants and animals get their nutrition in completely different ways. This is one of the most important distinctions in Biology for competitive exams. --- KEY RULES / PROPERTIES ---

NUTRITION IN PLANTS: Plants are called AUTOTROPHS — they make their own food. They do this through PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

Photosynthesis happens in the CHLOROPLAST, inside the CHLOROPHYLL pigment (which gives leaves their green colour). The process uses:

• Sunlight (energy source) • Carbon dioxide (CO2) — taken in through tiny pores called STOMATA

• Water (H2O) — absorbed through roots The plant produces GLUCOSE (food) and releases OXYGEN as a byproduct.

---

Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper

--

Photosynthesis Equation (must memorise):

6CO2 + 6H2O + Sunlight → C6H12O6 (Glucose) + 6O2
In words: Carbon dioxide + Water + Light energy → Glucose + Oxygen

Plants can also get nutrition without sunlight through CHEMOSYNTHESIS (e.g., some bacteria), but this is rarely tested at RRB level.

Some plants are HETEROTROPHS too:

• Parasitic plants: Cuscuta (Amarbel) — takes food from host

• Insectivorous plants: Venus Flytrap, Pitcher Plant — trap and digest insects

• Saprophytic plants: feed on dead matter (e.g., some fungi)

NUTRITION IN ANIMALS:

Animals are called HETEROTROPHS — they cannot make their own food. They depend on plants or other animals.

Types of animal nutrition:

• Herbivores: eat only plants (Cow, Rabbit)

• Carnivores: eat only animals (Lion, Tiger)

• Omnivores: eat both (Human, Bear)

• Parasites: live on/in a host (Tapeworm, Lice)

In humans, digestion breaks food into simpler molecules so the body can absorb them. Key organs: Mouth → Oesophagus → Stomach → Small Intestine → Large Intestine.

Key enzyme fact: AMYLASE (in saliva) breaks starch into sugar. PEPSIN (in stomach) breaks protein. LIPASE breaks fats.

---

Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
Trick 2 — Enzyme Memory

'A-P-L' → Amylase=starch, Pepsin=protein, Lipase=fat

Remember

APL = 'A Plant's Life' (just a

Memory HookRemember this — never confuse the two again

). ---

Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1

Write the equation — 6CO2 + 6H2O + Sunlight → C6H12O6 + 6O2

2
Step 2

The equation shows 6CO2 is used on the left side — this matches our question.

3
Step 3

Read the right side — 6O2 molecules are released.

4
Step 4

The food molecule produced is C6H12O6, which is GLUCOSE. Answer: 6 molecules of Oxygen are released, and Glucose is produced. ---

Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these

--- Students confuse RESPIRATION with PHOTOSYNTHESIS. Remember: Photosynthesis TAKES IN CO2 and RELEASES O2. Respiration does the OPPOSITE — takes in O2, releases CO2.

Also, many students forget that Cuscuta is a PARASITIC plant, not insectivorous.

Key Points to Remember

  • Plants are AUTOTROPHS — they make their own food through photosynthesis using sunlight, CO2, and water.
  • Photosynthesis equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O + Sunlight → C6H12O6 (Glucose) + 6O2
  • Photosynthesis occurs in CHLOROPLASTS, in the green pigment called CHLOROPHYLL.
  • CO2 enters the leaf through tiny pores called STOMATA; water is absorbed by ROOTS.
  • Animals are HETEROTROPHS — they depend on other organisms for food (plants or animals).
  • Cuscuta (Amarbel) is a PARASITIC plant; Venus Flytrap and Pitcher Plant are INSECTIVOROUS plants.
  • Key digestive enzymes: Amylase → breaks starch; Pepsin → breaks protein; Lipase → breaks fats.
  • Herbivores eat only plants, Carnivores eat only animals, Omnivores eat both (humans are omnivores).

Exam-Specific Tips

  • The green pigment responsible for photosynthesis is CHLOROPHYLL, located in CHLOROPLASTS.
  • Oxygen is a BYPRODUCT of photosynthesis — it is released through stomata.
  • Cuscuta (Amarbel) is a classic example of a PARASITIC plant that gets nutrition from its host.
  • PEPSIN is the enzyme found in the stomach that digests PROTEINS; it works in an acidic medium.
  • SALIVARY AMYLASE (Ptyalin) is the enzyme in saliva that begins the digestion of STARCH in the mouth.
  • Venus Flytrap and Pitcher Plant are INSECTIVOROUS (carnivorous) plants that trap insects for nitrogen.
  • The site of absorption of digested food in humans is the SMALL INTESTINE (specifically the villi).
  • Chemosynthesis is the process used by some bacteria to make food WITHOUT sunlight, using chemical energy.
Practice MCQs

Nutrition in Plants & Animals — Practice Questions

12graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis

All MCQs →
Practice 1easy

What is the main product stored in plant cells as a result of photosynthesis?

Practice 2easy

Which type of nutrition is exhibited by animals that feed on both plants and other animals?

Practice 3easy

In the process of photosynthesis, what is the primary role of chlorophyll?

Practice 4easy

Which of the following is an example of autotrophic nutrition?

Practice 5medium

Which of the following organisms is a heterotroph that feeds on dead organic matter?

Practice 6medium

Which of the following is an autotrophic organism that produces its own food through photosynthesis?

Practice 7medium

In the equation of photosynthesis, 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂, what is the role of chlorophyll?

Practice 8medium

Which type of nutrition is found in humans and other animals that obtain energy by consuming other organisms?

Practice 9medium

The process by which plants absorb mineral nutrients from soil through their roots is called:

Practice 10hard

The human digestive system breaks down complex food molecules into simpler forms through mechanical and chemical digestion. Saliva contains an enzyme that begins the breakdown of starch in the mouth. Which enzyme is this, and in which organ does the majority of nutrient absorption occur?

Practice 11hard

A heterotrophic organism cannot synthesize its own food and depends on other organisms for nutrition. Which of the following best describes the feeding relationship in a food chain where grass is eaten by a rabbit, and the rabbit is eaten by a fox?

Practice 12hard

In autotrophic nutrition, plants synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight. This process is called photosynthesis. The equation 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ represents this reaction. Which statement about this process is correct?

60-Second Revision — Nutrition in Plants & Animals

  • Remember: Photosynthesis formula — 6CO2 + 6H2O + Sunlight → C6H12O6 + 6O2. Learn this by heart.
  • Remember: Photosynthesis ABSORBS CO2 and RELEASES O2. Respiration is the exact opposite.
  • Trick: APL — Amylase digests starch, Pepsin digests protein, Lipase digests fat.
  • Trap: Cuscuta = PARASITIC plant (NOT insectivorous). Venus Flytrap = INSECTIVOROUS plant.
  • Remember: Plants = Autotrophs (make own food). Animals = Heterotrophs (depend on others).
  • Formula location: Photosynthesis happens in CHLOROPLAST. CO2 enters through STOMATA. Water through ROOTS.
  • Trap: Oxygen in photosynthesis comes from the splitting of WATER molecules, not from CO2.
←Ecosystems & Environment
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