Nutrient

Name:
Nutrient
Detailed information:
Any element or compound that is essential to the life and growth of plants or animals, either as such or as transformed by chemical or enzymatic reactions. In plants, nutrients include numerous mineral elements, as well as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water. In animals and humans, the primary nutrients are the proteins, carbohydrates, and fats obtained from plants, either directly or indirectly, supplemented by vitamins and minerals. Water and oxygen are included in this definition. All told, there are 43 basic nutrients.See Food.