Question

Organic nutrients that regulate physiological processes by serving as coenzymes are called
A) Vitamins
B) Trace elements
C) Minerals
D) Amino acids

Answer 1

Nutrient is a substance that provides nourishment that is essential for the maintenance of life and growth. Nutrients are of two types- organic nutrients and Inorganic nutrients. Organic nutrients are the nutrients that contain carbon in their structure, such as as- carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and vitamins. These nutrients play an important role in providing energy. Inorganic nutrients are the nutrients that do not contain carbon in their structure, such as as- Iron, Zinc, Selenium.

Complete answer: Option A- Vitamins
Vitamins are the compounds that are needed in a small amount to sustain life. Vitamins can be either water-soluble or fat-soluble. They are considered Organic compounds because they contain carbon. 13 vitamins are essential for our body. The non-protein part of an enzyme is called a cofactor, and if these cofactors are organic, then they are referred to as coenzymes. These co-enzymes are derived from vitamins.
Option B- Trace elements
Trace elements are minerals that are present in living tissues in small quantities. They function primarily as a catalyst. For example- Copper, Manganese, Molybdenum.
Option C- Minerals
These are solid substances present in nature. They can be made up of one element or more elements combined together. There are different types of minerals, such as as- Native elements, oxides, halides, hydroxides, sulfides, etc. When the co-factors of an enzyme are inorganic, it is derived from minerals.
Option D- Amino acids
Amino acids are the organic compounds that contain carbon and nitrogen derived functional groups in their structure. Around 500 naturally occurring amino acids are discovered. Amino acids are formed by chains of proteins bonded together. Many enzymes are made up of proteins and amino acids.

Thus, the correct option is Option A- Vitamins.

Note: A coenzyme is a small, organic, non-protein compound that binds to an enzyme to catalyze the reaction. It is unable to function alone. Various types of coenzymes are- NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), FMN (flavin mononucleotide), FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide), Co A (coenzyme A), etc.