A substance needed by the body to maintain life and health.

• A. Vitamin
• B. Nutrient
• C. Hormone
• D. Mineral

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is what we call a nutrient. A nutrient is any substance the body must obtain from the diet to grow, repair, and maintain life and health. Nutrients include not only vitamins and minerals, but also macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and even water, all of which support energy, metabolism, and bodily functions. Vitamins and minerals are specific types of nutrients, so they fit under this broader term. Hormones, on the other hand, are regulatory signals produced by the body to control processes; they’re essential for health but are not typically described as substances you must ingest to sustain life in the same way nutrients are. So the broad category that best matches the statement is nutrient.