What are vitamins?

Vitamins are organic substances that play crucial roles in various bodily functions, including growth and development. They are needed in small amounts to support a range of physiological processes, such as metabolism, immune function, and cell repair. Unlike minerals, which are inorganic elements, vitamins are primarily obtained from the diet, particularly from fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins.

The classification as organic means that vitamins contain carbon and are derived from living organisms, distinguishing them from inorganic substances such as minerals. Vitamins act as coenzymes or precursors for enzymes, facilitating numerous biochemical reactions essential for maintaining health.

The other options describe different categories of nutrients: synthetic chemicals would refer to man-made substances, inorganic substances would apply to minerals or non-living compounds, and minerals, while essential for various body functions, are not classified as vitamins. Thus, option C accurately captures the definition and significance of vitamins in human health.