Final answer:
A substance required by the body for repair, energy, growth, and maintenance is known as a nutrient. These include both macronutrients and micronutrients, such as vitamins, which play crucial roles in metabolic processes and overall health.
Step-by-step explanation:
A substance needed by the body for repair, energy, growth, and maintenance is called a nutrient.
Nutrients are vital to our health and survival, serving as the building blocks for our bodies and assisting in various bodily functions. Our bodies require a range of nutrients, which include macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, as well as micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Macronutrients provide the energy that our bodies need for activities, while micronutrients support a vast array of physiological processes, such as metabolism, cell and tissue growth, and bone health. Vitamins, specifically, are organic compounds that are imperative for maintaining good health and are involved in important biochemical reactions. Since our bodies cannot synthesize certain essential nutrients, such as certain vitamins, we must obtain them through our diets. Embracing a varied diet rich in all six major nutrient classes ensures that we meet our bodily requirements for energy, building materials, and regulation of body processes.