ABSTRACT
Some of the fundamental questions in biology concern the relationship of organisms to their internal and external environments with nutrition being an important aspect. The earliest forms of life probably utilized elements from the earth’s crust, atmosphere, and oceans as well as radiation from the sun in their early evolution. In higher forms of life, survival depends on the availability of inorganic and organic nutrients for use either directly or as precursors of other compounds necessary for the formation and maintenance of body structures and physiological functions. If an appropriate blending of nutrients is not available, normal formation of structure and function may be disrupted.
