Final answer:
Nutrients are essential for energy provision, growth, development, and metabolism regulation; all options provided are vital functions. Essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, required in small amounts, must come from our diet to support health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vital functions of nutrients include providing the energy required by cells, promoting growth and development, and regulating metabolism. Therefore, the correct answer is a. All of these are correct. Nutrients play a significant role in supporting life as they serve as building blocks for our bodies and assist in various physiological processes.
Essential nutrients cannot be synthesized by the body and therefore must be obtained through our diet. These include vitamins and minerals. While some vitamins, like D and K, are essential and have specific functions, such as maintaining a stable nervous system and aiding in blood clotting, they are still required in small amounts for the body's normal functioning.
A balanced diet provides all the necessary macronutrients and micronutrients needed for bodily functions, good health, and reproductive capability. Macronutrients provide the bulk of our energy and include carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, while vitamins and minerals are micronutrients that support vital functions despite being needed in smaller amounts.