Problem 1 - Biology: The Dynamic Science

Question

Required molecules that animals cannot synthesize are called: a. nutrients. b. essential nutrients. c. enzymes. d. proteins. e. carbohydrates.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The correct answer is b. Essential nutrients.

Step 1: Analyze given options

Consider each option one by one, comparing them with the condition mentioned in the question. A nutrient is a substance that provides nourishment. An essential nutrient is a nutrient that the body cannot synthesize on its own or not to an adequate amount and must be provided by the diet. Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts. Proteins are large biomolecules, or macromolecules, consisting of one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Carbohydrates are biomolecules consisting of carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms.

Step 2: Comparative Analysis

From the provided options, enzymes, proteins, and carbohydrates can indeed be synthesized by animals, so they do not meet the criteria. A nutrient is a broad term that includes all substances providing nourishment, so it may not necessarily be the one that animals can't synthesize. The term 'essential nutrients' specifically refers to nutrients that must be provided from the diet because they can't be synthesized adequately or at all by the animal.

Step 3: Identify the correct option

Based on the condition mentioned in the question and the specific definitions of each term, the term 'essential nutrients' is the one that is specifically referred to as those substances which cannot be synthesized by animals. So, the correct answer is 'essential nutrients'.