Class 6 Science Chapter 2 Components of Food: easy notes, important questions and answers, MCQs, fill in the blanks, true/false and balanced diet explanation.
Understanding what our food contains is very important for staying healthy.
In Class 6 Science Chapter 2 Components of Food, we learn about nutrients, balanced diet, deficiency diseases, and the importance of water and roughage. This chapter is essential for students preparing for school exams and homework.
Table of Contents
🟦 What Are the Components of Food? (Easy Explanation)
Food contains different substances that help our body grow, stay strong, and remain healthy. These substances are called components of food.
The main components are:
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Fats
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Roughage (dietary fibre)
- Water
Each nutrient has a special role in keeping us fit and active.

🟩 Types of Nutrients and Their Functions
1. Carbohydrates – Instant Energy
Carbohydrates give the body energy to walk, run, play, study, and work.
Examples: rice, wheat, bread, potato, sugar.
2. Proteins – Body-Building Foods
Proteins help in growth and repair of body cells.
They are very important for children.
Examples: pulses, eggs, milk, fish, nuts.
3. Fats – Stored Energy
Fats give more energy than carbohydrates and help keep the body warm.
Examples: butter, ghee, oil, cheese, dry fruits.
4. Vitamins – Protective Foods
Vitamins protect us from diseases and keep our eyes, skin, and bones healthy.
Examples: fruits, vegetables, milk.
Important vitamins: A, B, C, D, E, K.
5. Minerals – Strong Bones & Healthy Blood
Minerals are needed in small amounts but are very important.
Examples:
- Calcium → strong bones
- Iron → makes blood
- Iodine → helps thyroid gland
6. Roughage – Helps Digestion
Roughage is the fibre in food. It helps in digestion and prevents constipation.
Examples: fruits, vegetables, whole grains.
7. Water – Essential for Life
Water helps in digestion, removes waste, regulates body temperature, and carries nutrients.
🟧 Balanced Diet (Simple Explanation)
A balanced diet contains all nutrients—carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, roughage, and water—in the right amount.
A balanced meal includes:
- Chapati / rice
- Dal / pulses
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Milk / curd
Children need a balanced diet to grow properly and stay active.
🟥 Deficiency Diseases (Easy Table)
A deficiency disease happens when a person does not get enough of a particular nutrient.
| Nutrient | Disease | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | Night blindness | Poor vision |
| Vitamin B | Beriberi | Weak muscles |
| Vitamin C | Scurvy | Bleeding gums |
| Vitamin D | Rickets | Weak bones |
| Iron | Anaemia | Tiredness |
⭐ Class 6 Science Chapter 2 Important Questions & Answers (NCERT-Based)
This covers the full Class 6 Science Chapter 2 Components of Food syllabus.
🟦 Very Short Answer Questions
Q1. Name the main components of food.
Ans: Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, roughage, and water.
Q2. Which nutrient gives energy?
Ans: Carbohydrates.
Q3. Which nutrient builds the body?
Ans: Proteins.
Q4. Name two foods rich in fats.
Ans: Butter and nuts.
Q5. Lack of which mineral causes goitre?
Ans: Iodine.
🟩 Short Answer Questions
Q6. What are protective foods?
Ans: Foods rich in vitamins and minerals are called protective foods because they protect us from diseases.
Q7. Why is water important for our body?
Ans: Water helps digestion, removes waste, regulates body temperature, and transports nutrients.
Q8. What is roughage?
Ans: Roughage is dietary fibre that helps digestion and prevents constipation.
🟧 Long Answer Questions
Q9. Explain the functions of different nutrients.
Ans:
- Carbohydrates: Provide energy
- Proteins: Help in growth and repair
- Fats: Provide energy and warmth
- Vitamins: Protect from diseases
- Minerals: Help in bone strength, blood formation
- Roughage: Helps digestion
- Water: Essential for body functions
Q10. What is a balanced diet? Why is it important?
Ans:
A balanced diet has all nutrients in proper amounts.
It is important because it helps us grow, stay healthy, fight diseases, and stay active.
⭐ Fill in the Blanks
- Vitamins and minerals are ______ foods.
Ans: protective - Fats keep our body ______.
Ans: warm - Lack of iron causes ______.
Ans: anaemia - Roughage helps in ______.
Ans: digestion - Rice and wheat are rich in ______.
Ans: carbohydrates
⭐ True or False
- Water helps in digestion. — True
- Vitamin D deficiency causes anaemia. — False
- Fats give the most energy. — True
- Calcium helps in strong bones. — True
- Roughage is harmful for the body. — False
⭐ MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
1. Which nutrient helps in growth?
a) Carbohydrates
b) Proteins ✔
c) Fats
2. Which vitamin is good for eyesight?
a) Vitamin A ✔
b) Vitamin C
c) Vitamin D
3. Which nutrient gives energy?
a) Carbohydrates ✔
b) Vitamins
c) Minerals
4. Deficiency of Vitamin C causes:
a) Rickets
b) Scurvy ✔
c) Goitre
5. Which of these contains proteins?
a) Dal ✔
b) Sugar
c) Oil
#Class 6 Science Chapter 2
