Minerals and Vitamins: Essential Components of our Diet
What are the differences between minerals and vitamins?
Which of the following statements best describes the distinction between minerals and vitamins?
Minerals are __________, whereas vitamins are __________.
a. micronutrients; macronutrients
b. water-soluble elements; lipid-soluble compounds
c. inorganic elements; organic compounds
d. inessential nutrients; essential nutrients
e. incomplete nutrients; complete nutrients
Answer:
Minerals are c. inorganic elements, whereas vitamins are e. incomplete nutrients.
Minerals and vitamins are two essential components of our dietary intake, but they differ in several key aspects.
Minerals, as mentioned in option c, are inorganic elements. These are naturally occurring chemical elements that the body requires for various functions, such as calcium for bone health and iron for oxygen transport. They are not synthesized by living organisms and must be obtained through the diet.
In contrast, vitamins are organic compounds synthesized by plants and animals, and they are mentioned in option e as incomplete nutrients.
Vitamins are termed incomplete nutrients because they do not provide energy (calories) on their own. Instead, they play a crucial role in various metabolic processes and are necessary for the body to function properly.
While both minerals and vitamins are vital for maintaining good health, they serve distinct functions in the body's overall well-being.
In summary, minerals are a. inorganic elements, and vitamins are considered e. incomplete nutrients due to their non-caloric nature and organic composition.