What are micronutrients and why are they called micronutrients class 9th?

December 25, 2025 •

4 min read

Globally, millions of children and pregnant women suffer from deficiencies in micronutrients like iron, vitamin A, and iodine. This highlights just how crucial these tiny nutritional components are for health, growth, and disease prevention. But what exactly are micronutrients, and for a student in Class 9, why are they specifically referred to as "micro"?

Quick Summary

Vitamins and minerals, collectively known as micronutrients, are essential nutrients required by the body in very small quantities, unlike macronutrients. Their name comes from the Greek prefix 'micro', meaning 'small'. They are vital for growth, immune function, and metabolism, and must be obtained from a balanced diet.

Key Points

Micronutrients Defined: Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals required by the body in very small quantities for proper functioning and health.
Reason for "Micro" Name: The term "micronutrient" derives from the Greek prefix 'micro', meaning small, because they are needed in tiny amounts (milligrams or micrograms).
Vitamins vs. Minerals: The two main types are vitamins (organic, like A, C, D, B-complex) and minerals (inorganic, like iron, calcium, zinc).
Vital Functions: Despite small quantities, they are crucial for metabolism, energy production, immune system support, and bone health.
Deficiency Impact: A lack of micronutrients can cause serious health issues, such as anemia from iron deficiency or night blindness from a lack of Vitamin A.
Role with Macronutrients: Unlike macronutrients (carbs, proteins, fats), they do not provide energy but enable the body to use the energy from macronutrients.
Dietary Importance: A balanced and varied diet is the best source of all necessary micronutrients to prevent deficiencies.

What are micronutrients?

Micronutrients are a group of essential nutrients that the human body needs in very small, or "micro," quantities to function properly. These include all the vitamins and minerals, which play a wide variety of roles in maintaining health and promoting growth and development. Even though they are required in minute amounts, their impact is immense, and their deficiency can lead to serious health issues. Unlike macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats), they do not provide the body with energy or calories. Instead, they act as catalysts or co-factors for thousands of vital metabolic processes.

The two main types of micronutrients

Micronutrients are primarily divided into two categories: vitamins and minerals. Each category has its own distinct functions and sub-groups.

Vitamins: These are organic substances made by plants or animals and can be broken down by heat, acid, or air.
- Water-soluble vitamins: These vitamins, which include Vitamin C and all the B-complex vitamins, dissolve in water. The body cannot store them, so any excess is excreted in the urine. This means they must be consumed regularly through your daily diet.
- Fat-soluble vitamins: These vitamins (A, D, E, and K) dissolve in fat and are stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver. They are better absorbed when consumed with a source of fat.
Minerals: These are inorganic elements that exist in soil and water and cannot be broken down by heat, acid, or air. They are absorbed by plants and animals and then passed on to us when we eat them.
- Macrominerals: The body requires these in relatively larger quantities than trace minerals. Examples include Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium, and Potassium.
- Trace minerals: As the name suggests, these are needed in much smaller amounts, or traces. Key examples include Iron, Zinc, Iodine, Copper, Fluoride, and Selenium.

Why are they called micronutrients? (Class 9th explanation)

The name "micronutrient" is a combination of two words: "micro" and "nutrient." This is the simplest and most accurate way to understand the term for a student in Class 9.

"Micro" means small. The Greek prefix micro ($μικρό$) means "small". This refers to the tiny amounts—measured in milligrams (mg) or micrograms (µg)—that the body requires every day. To put this into perspective, a milligram is one-thousandth of a gram, and a microgram is one-millionth of a gram.
"Nutrient" means nourishment. A nutrient is any substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life.

Combining these, a micronutrient is a nourishing substance needed in small amounts. This contrasts with macronutrients, which the body needs in large quantities ("macro" means large) because they provide energy and are used as building blocks for the body's structure.

The critical functions of micronutrients

Despite being required in small amounts, micronutrients are indispensable for numerous physiological processes. A deficiency in any one of them can have a noticeable impact on health.

Energy Production: B-complex vitamins act as coenzymes that help convert macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) into usable energy for the body.
Immune System Support: Vitamins A, C, E, and minerals like zinc are essential for strengthening the immune system, helping the body fight off infections.
Bone Health: Calcium and phosphorus are the primary components of bones and teeth, while Vitamin D is necessary for the proper absorption of calcium.
Growth and Development: Minerals such as iron are vital for the formation of red blood cells and oxygen transport throughout the body. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, a common problem worldwide, particularly among adolescents. Iodine is crucial for proper brain and cognitive development.
Cellular Protection: Antioxidant micronutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Selenium help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Comparison: Micronutrients vs. Macronutrients

To solidify the understanding of why they are called micronutrients, a direct comparison with macronutrients is helpful.


Criteria	Micronutrients	Macronutrients
Quantity Required	Required in very minute quantities (milligrams or micrograms).	Required in large quantities (grams).
Main Function	Primarily regulate body processes, boost immunity, and prevent deficiency diseases.	Primarily provide energy (calories) and act as building blocks for the body.
Examples	Vitamins (A, C, D, K, B-complex) and Minerals (Iron, Calcium, Zinc).	Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats.
Sources	Fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, nuts, and seeds.	Grains, meat, fish, legumes, oils, and dairy.
Energy Contribution	Do not provide energy/calories.	Are the main source of energy.
Absorption Example	Fat-soluble vitamins require dietary fat for absorption.	Fats are needed for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Deficiency and its consequences

Consuming a varied diet is the best way to ensure an adequate intake of all essential micronutrients. Deficiencies can lead to severe health problems. For instance, a lack of iodine can cause goiter and mental impairment, while Vitamin A deficiency can lead to night blindness. In Class 9, understanding the importance of a balanced diet becomes even more critical for a growing body.

Conclusion

In summary, micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that your body needs in very small amounts to perform a huge range of critical functions, from energy production and immune defense to supporting bone health and proper growth. The name "micronutrient" simply reflects the minute quantities in which they are needed, setting them apart from macronutrients. For Class 9 students, remembering that 'micro' means small is the key to understanding this essential concept of nutrition.

Visit the World Health Organization for more information on micronutrients and global health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Micronutrients have many vital functions, including supporting metabolism, strengthening the immune system, aiding in proper growth and development, and maintaining bone health and vision.

No. Macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) are needed in large quantities to provide energy, whereas micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are needed in small quantities for other bodily functions and do not provide energy.

For Class 9, good examples include Vitamins (like Vitamin C from citrus fruits, Vitamin A from carrots) and Minerals (like Iron from spinach and Calcium from milk).

A deficiency in micronutrients can lead to a variety of health problems, such as anemia from iron deficiency, goiter from iodine deficiency, or weak bones from a lack of Vitamin D.

Similar to humans, plants also need micronutrients, which they absorb from the soil through their roots. These include elements like iron, zinc, and manganese.

Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and are not stored in the body, requiring regular intake. Fat-soluble vitamins dissolve in fat and are stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver for later use.

Studying micronutrients is important for students because it helps them understand the critical role of a balanced diet in their own health, growth, and development, and how to prevent common deficiencies.