Plants affect the lives of humans and other organisms. Plants are the primary sources of their energy.
Some plants are used for food. The plant parts which may be used as food are the leaves, stems, seeds, flowers, fruits, and roots.
A plant that has an edible part or parts like the roots, stems, leaves, or flowers is called a vegetable.
Our body has certain needs. We eat different foods to meet these needs. Nutrients which come from plants and animals are substances that are needed for our body's growth, repair of our body cells, and energy supply.
Our body needs four main kinds of nutrients, proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins.
Proteins are nutrients that are needed for growth and repair of our body cells. Foods that contain protein are fish, chicken, meat, eggs,milk, peanuts, beans, and cheese.
Fats are nutrients that provide our body with energy. They also help our body store vitamins. There is fat in butter, meat, milk, and ice cream.
Carbohydrates are the nutrients which are the main sources of energy for our body. Sugar and starch are carbohydrates. Other foods rich in carbohydrates include cereals, rice, potato, bread, noodles, fleshy fruits, pastries, and juices.
Vitamins are nutrients which help our body use proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. There are many vitamins.
Some of the vitamins are;
Vit.A that keeps our eyes, skin and hair healthy. Sources are butter, cheeses,egg yolk,green leafy vegetables.
Vit.D necessary for building strong bones and teeth. Sources dairy products, fish,liver oil.
Vit.K necessary for normal blood clothing. Sources green,leafy vegetables,liver.
Vit.B¹² necessary for the formation of red blood cells. Sources red meat,milk,eggs,cheeses.
Vit.C necessary for building strong bones. Sources citrus fruits, green,leafy vegetables.
Calcium necessary for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Sources milk,cheeses,clams,oysters.
Water is also important. Water helps our body do many things. It is a necessary part of all the cells of our body. It helps us digest food. It is part of our blood. We should drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. We also get water in soups,fruits and vegetables.
Humans have been using plants for treatment of various ailments. Some of these medical plants are found in our kitchen. These are ginger, cloves, garlic,black pepper, and thyme. They are called spices.
For medical herbs we have Oregano and Lagundi leaves for Cough.
Kalachuchi and Kulitis leaves for Asthma
Amarillo and Gumamela leaves and flowers for Abscess and Boils.
Sambong leaves for headache due to Sinusitis
Kangkong tops and Malunggay leaves for Constipation
Carrot juice and Olive Oil for Hyper acidity
Tanglad and Makahiya leaves for Diarrhea
Plants protect themselves to survive, they have structures or characteristics that protect them from humans and other animals. Some have Thorn and woody spine, when touched carelessly, it causes sharp pain, irritation, or discomfort. Some grasses can cause Itchiness and some have sharp leaf blades capable of cutting the skin; pineapple leaves for example.
Many plants grow in soil. Some plants grow in the water while others anchor their roots on other plants. There are plants also that can grow in a specific environment and adapt themselves to the natural setting for their survival.
Plants that live on land are called Terrestrial plants or mesophytes. And those that live on branches or trunks of other plants are Aerial plants or epiphytes. While plants that live in the water are called Aquatic plants or Hydrophytes.
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