Final answer:
Food contains essential nutrients like fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, which the body uses for energy, building cells, and carrying genetic information. Nitrous oxide and noble gases are not commonly found in food, and atmospheric nitrogen must be fixed by bacteria to be usable by the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
Food is essential for providing the body with nutrients it needs to function. The molecules found in food that are crucial for our diet include fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Fats, or lipids, are used by the body to store energy and build cell membranes. Proteins are made up of amino acids and are necessary for building and repairing tissues, as well as making enzymes and hormones. Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy. Finally, nucleic acids like DNA and RNA contain genetic information that is vital for cell function and reproduction.
Nitrous oxide and noble gases are not typically found in food. Atmospheric nitrogen is not directly used by the body and must first be converted into a usable form through a process called nitrogen fixation, which is performed by certain bacteria.
Water, while not an organic compound, is also an essential part of our diet as it plays roles in many physiological processes, including digestion and nutrient transport.