Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What is a common characteristic of essential nutrients?

1. They are produced by animal metabolism.

2. They must be supplied through diet.

3. They provide energy directly.

4. They can be stored in large quantities in the body.

The correct answer is: They must be supplied through diet.

Essential nutrients are substances that the body cannot produce on its own or in sufficient quantities, and therefore, they must be supplied through the diet. This characteristic is crucial for several physiological functions, growth, and overall health. Essential nutrients include vitamins, minerals, certain amino acids, and fatty acids that are vital for maintaining bodily functions such as immune response, energy production, and cellular repair. While the body can obtain some nutrients from metabolism, essential nutrients specifically need to be ingested because they cannot be synthesized internally. Unlike some nutrients that can provide energy directly, essential nutrients often play roles in metabolic pathways and structural functions rather than serving as immediate energy sources. Additionally, certain nutrients can be stored in the body, but essential nutrients primarily need to be consumed regularly to meet the body’s requirements for them. Therefore, the necessity of acquiring these nutrients through diet differentiates them from other nutrients that the body can produce or store effectively.