Certain Nutrients are Considered "Essential" in the Diets of Some

Question

Certain nutrients are considered "essential" in the diets of some animals because
A) only those animals use those nutrients.
B) the nutrients are subunits of important polymers.
C) these animals are not able to synthesize these nutrients.
D) the nutrients are necessary coenzymes.
E) only certain foods contain them.

Accepted Answer

"Essential" nutrients are those that cannot be synthesized by the organism and must be obtained through the diet. Therefore, animals that require these nutrients are not able to produce them themselves, making choice C the correct answer.