Micronutrient

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/micronutrient

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the daily intake threshold?Typically required in amounts less than 100 milligrams per day
2. What is the biochemical function?Serve as cofactors and coenzymes for enzymes, enabling metabolic reactions
3. What are micronutrients and why are they tiny helpers?Micronutrients are vitamins and trace minerals that our body needs in very small amounts. They help enzymes work and keep our body running smoothly.
4. How do vitamins and minerals help our body?Vitamins act as partners for enzymes, making reactions for energy, DNA, immune health, and repair happen. Minerals like iron and zinc help carry oxygen, fight infections, and heal wounds.

Cofactor: A non-protein chemical compound or metallic ion that is required for an enzyme's activity.
Coenzyme: A type of cofactor, typically an organic non-protein compound, that is essential for enzyme activity.
Phytoplankton: Microscopic marine algae that perform photosynthesis and form the base of aquatic food webs.
Biogeochemical Cycles: The pathways by which chemical elements or molecules move through both the biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems.