Final answer:
True, Vitamins B9 (folate) and B12 are essential for DNA precursor synthesis, playing key roles in the formation of new cells and erythrocyte development. Deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to significant health issues like megaloblastic anemia and neural tube defects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Vitamins B9 (folate) and B12 are necessary for the synthesis of DNA precursors is true. Vitamin B12 is essential for normal maturation and development of erythrocytes and is necessary for DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 is required for the conversion of methyl malonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA and the methylation of homocysteine to methionine, which is a crucial step in the synthesis of DNA. Folate, another B vitamin, is involved in the synthesis of new cells, including erythrocytes, by facilitating DNA synthesis.
Vitamins are required in small quantities for bodily function, and while some amino acids can be synthesized by the body, others must be obtained from diet because they are essential nutrients. Deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to megaloblastic anemia, demyelination, neurological lesions, and infertility. Similarly, a deficiency of maternal folate can result in neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, particularly in the first weeks of pregnancy.