Extra 20 important long questions and answers from the CBSE Class 6 Science chapter:2 "Components of Food."
1. What are the different components of food? Explain their functions.
✅ Answer: The main components of food are:
Carbohydrates
– Provide energy to the body.
Proteins
– Help in body growth, repair, and muscle building.
Fats
– Provide more energy than carbohydrates and keep the body warm.
Vitamins
– Help in body functions, immunity, and prevent diseases.
Minerals
– Needed for strong bones, blood formation, and other body functions.
Water and Roughage
– Help in digestion, absorption, and removal of waste.
2. What are carbohydrates? Mention their sources and functions.
✅ Answer:
Carbohydrates are energy-giving nutrients needed for daily activities.
They are made up of
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Sources of carbohydrates include
rice, wheat, potatoes, sugar, and fruits.
They are of two types:
simple carbohydrates (sugar, glucose) and complex carbohydrates (starch,
fibre
).
They provide
instant energy
to the body.
Excess carbohydrates are stored as
fats
in the body.
3. What are proteins? What are their functions and sources?
✅ Answer:
Proteins are
body-building nutrients
essential for growth and repair.
They help in
muscle growth, tissue repair, and making enzymes.
Sources of proteins include
pulses, milk, eggs, fish, and soybeans.
Proteins help in the
formation of hormones and enzymes.
They strengthen the
immune system
to fight infections.
Protein deficiency can lead to
Kwashiorkor and Marasmus.
4. What are fats? Mention their sources and importance.
✅ Answer:
Fats provide
more energy
than carbohydrates.
They help in
keeping the body warm.
They are found in
butter, ghee, nuts, and oils.
Fats are stored in the body for
future energy needs.
They help in the absorption of
fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
Too much fat can cause
obesity and heart problems.
5. What are vitamins? Explain different types of vitamins and their functions.
✅ Answer:
Vitamins are
protective nutrients
required in small amounts.
They help in body functions like
growth, immunity, and metabolism.
There are two types:
Water-soluble vitamins (Vitamin B, C)
Fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamin A, D, E, K)
Vitamin A
– Good for eyesight (found in carrots, papaya).
Vitamin C
– Helps in healing wounds (found in citrus fruits).
Vitamin D
– Needed for strong bones (found in sunlight, milk).
6. What are minerals? Explain their types and functions.
✅ Answer:
Minerals are needed for
various body functions.
Some important minerals are:
Calcium
– Strong bones and teeth (found in milk, cheese).
Iron
– Helps in making
haemoglobin
(found in spinach, jaggery).
Iodine
– Prevents goitre (found in iodized salt).
Phosphorus
– Helps in strong bones and teeth.
Minerals are required in
small amounts
but are very essential.
Deficiency of minerals leads to
various diseases.
7. What is a balanced diet? Why is it important?
✅ Answer:
A balanced diet contains
all essential nutrients in proper amounts.
It includes
carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water, and
fibre
.
It helps in
growth, energy production, and good health.
It prevents
deficiency diseases and malnutrition.
A balanced diet boosts
immunity and keeps the body fit.
It should include
fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, and proteins.
8. What are deficiency diseases? Name some deficiency diseases and their causes.
✅ Answer:
Diseases caused by lack of essential nutrients are called
deficiency diseases.
Night blindness
– Caused by lack of
Vitamin A.
Scurvy
– Caused by lack of
Vitamin C.
Rickets
– Caused by lack of
Vitamin D.
Goitre
– Caused by lack of
Iodine.
Anaemia
– Caused by lack of
Iron.
9. Why is water important for our body?
✅ Answer:
Water is essential for
digestion and absorption of food.
It helps in
transporting nutrients
in the body.
It removes
waste materials
through urine and sweat.
Water regulates
body temperature.
It keeps our skin
hydrated and healthy.
About
70% of our body
is made up of water.
10. What is roughage? Why is it important in our diet?
✅ Answer:
Roughage, or dietary
fibre
, is the
indigestible part of food.
It helps in
digestion and prevents constipation.
It keeps the
digestive system healthy.
Roughage is found in
fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
It helps in the
proper movement of food in the intestines.
It
does not provide energy
but is important for good health.
11. Explain the test for carbohydrates in food.
✅ Answer:
Take a small amount of food sample.
Add a few drops of
iodine solution
to it.
If the food contains starch, it turns
blue-black.
This confirms the presence of
carbohydrates.
12. Explain the test for proteins in food.
✅ Answer:
Take a small food sample.
Add
copper
sulphate
and
sodium hydroxide solution.
If the food contains proteins, it turns
purple.
This confirms the presence of
proteins.
13. Explain the test for fats in food.
✅ Answer:
Take a small food sample.
Rub it on a piece of
paper.
If an
oily patch
appears, it means
fats are present.
14. What happens if we eat too much junk food?
✅ Answer:
It leads to
obesity and weight gain.
It increases the risk of
heart diseases.
It causes
digestion problems.
It can lead to
vitamin and mineral deficiency.
It affects
concentration and energy levels.
Junk food has
low nutritional value.
15. What are the effects of protein deficiency?
✅ Answer:
Protein deficiency causes diseases like
Kwashiorkor and Marasmus.
Kwashiorkor
– Symptoms include swollen belly, weak muscles, and stunted growth.
Marasmus
– Symptoms include extreme thinness, weakness, and slow growth.
It leads to
poor muscle development.
The immune system becomes
weak, making the person prone to infections.
Protein deficiency affects
brain development in children.
16. Why should we eat fresh fruits and vegetables daily?
✅ Answer:
Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in
vitamins and minerals.
They contain
fibre
(roughage), which helps in digestion.
They improve
immunity and prevent diseases.
They provide
natural sugars
for energy.
They help in
hydration
as they contain water.
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables keeps
skin and hair healthy.
17. How can we prevent deficiency diseases?
✅ Answer:
Eating a
balanced diet
with all nutrients in proper amounts.
Consuming foods rich in
vitamins and minerals.
Drinking
enough water
to stay hydrated.
Avoiding
junk food
and unhealthy eating habits.
Taking
iodized salt
to prevent goitre.
Spending time in
sunlight
to get Vitamin D naturally.
18. Why is iron important for our body? What happens if we don’t get enough iron?
✅ Answer:
Iron helps in the production of
haemoglobin
in red blood cells.
Haemoglobin
carries
oxygen
throughout the body.
Iron-rich foods include
spinach, jaggery, and liver.
Deficiency of iron leads to
anaemia.
Symptoms of anaemia include
weakness, tiredness, and pale skin.
Eating
iron-rich foods
prevents anaemia and keeps the body strong.
19. How do different vitamins help in keeping us healthy?
✅ Answer:
Vitamin A
– Improves eyesight and keeps the skin healthy (carrots, papaya).
Vitamin B-complex
– Helps in digestion and nerve functions (cereals, milk).
Vitamin C
– Boosts immunity and heals wounds (oranges, lemon).
Vitamin D
– Strengthens bones and teeth (sunlight, milk).
Vitamin E
– Keeps skin and hair healthy (nuts, seeds).
Vitamin K
– Helps in blood clotting (green leafy vegetables).
20. What are the harmful effects of eating too much fat?
✅ Answer:
Eating too much fat can cause
obesity (excess weight gain).
It increases the risk of
heart diseases.
Excess fat can lead to
high cholesterol levels.
It may cause
high blood pressure (hypertension).
Junk foods rich in fats can lead to
digestion problems.
Too much fat can affect
brain function and memory.
