Short answers, pulled from the story.
Nutrition is the biochemical and physiological process by which an organism uses food and water to support its life. The intake of these substances provides organisms with nutrients, which can be metabolized to create energy and chemical structures.
The first vitamin to be chemically identified was thiamine in 1926. This discovery opened the door to understanding the intricate roles of micronutrients in human health.
Heterotrophs are organisms that obtain nutrients by consuming the carbon of other organisms, while autotrophs are organisms that produce their own nutrients from the carbon of inorganic substances like carbon dioxide.
A healthy diet requires ingestion and absorption of vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids from protein and essential fatty acids from fat-containing food. Carbohydrates, protein and fat play major roles in ensuring the quality of life, health and longevity of the organism.
Malnutrition occurs when an organism does not have the nutrients that it needs, while nutrient inadequacy occurs when the intake of nutrients is above the level of deficiency but below the recommended dietary level.
Biogeochemical cycles that are performed by living organisms and natural processes are water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur cycles. These cycles ensure that nutrients are continuously available for all organisms, maintaining the balance required for life to thrive.