Essential Nutrients: Vitamins and Minerals Vocabulary

Vitamins

essential organic nutrients required in small amounts for healthy living

Water-Soluble

the ability to dissolve in water

Fat-Soluble

the ability to dissolve in fats

Antioxidants

elements within the body which stabilize free radicals

Free Radicals

highly reactive, highly energized compounds which have been linked to health issues including cancer and heart disease

Minerals

nonorganic compounds required for proper nutrition

Major Minerals

a group of minerals required in large quantities to remain healthy

Trace Minerals

a group of minerals required in small amounts to remain healthy

ATP

adenosine triphosphate; the major source of energy in the body

Water

a polar molecule comprised of hydrogen and oxygen, with the ratio of two hydrogen molecules to one oxygen molecule

Polar Molecules

a molecule with a positively charged pole and a negatively charged pole

Hydrogen Bond

a chemical bond between a positively charged hydrogen atom and a negatively charged atom