Final answer:
Vitamins, minerals, and proteins are organic substances needed in small amounts by the body for specific functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organic substances that are needed by the body in small amounts and perform specific functions are called vitamins. Vitamins are essential for normal growth and development, maintaining health, and preventing diseases. They are classified into two types: fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and water-soluble vitamins (B-complex vitamins and vitamin C).
Minerals, on the other hand, are inorganic substances that are also necessary for various bodily functions. They include minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, and zinc. Minerals are required in relatively larger amounts compared to vitamins.
Proteins are large molecules made up of amino acids. While proteins themselves are not considered vitamins or minerals, they are essential nutrients that perform numerous functions in the body, such as building and repairing tissues, supporting immune function, and serving as enzymes and hormones.
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