Nutrients such as calcium, potassium, iodine, iron, copper, and phosphorus are examples of which nutrient category?

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Multiple Choice

Nutrients such as calcium, potassium, iodine, iron, copper, and phosphorus are examples of which nutrient category?

Explanation:
Minerals are inorganic elements the body needs in varying amounts to support many bodily functions. Calcium, potassium, iodine, iron, copper, and phosphorus fit this category because they’re all essential elements—not organic compounds—that play specific roles such as building bones (calcium and phosphorus), maintaining fluid balance and nerve signaling (potassium), supporting thyroid function (iodine), transporting oxygen (iron), and acting as enzyme cofactors (copper). They differ from vitamins, which are organic compounds required in small amounts for metabolism, and from carbohydrates and proteins, which respectively provide energy and building blocks for structures and enzymes. So, those nutrients are best categorized as minerals.

Minerals are inorganic elements the body needs in varying amounts to support many bodily functions. Calcium, potassium, iodine, iron, copper, and phosphorus fit this category because they’re all essential elements—not organic compounds—that play specific roles such as building bones (calcium and phosphorus), maintaining fluid balance and nerve signaling (potassium), supporting thyroid function (iodine), transporting oxygen (iron), and acting as enzyme cofactors (copper).

They differ from vitamins, which are organic compounds required in small amounts for metabolism, and from carbohydrates and proteins, which respectively provide energy and building blocks for structures and enzymes. So, those nutrients are best categorized as minerals.

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