What are inorganic substances that the body requires in minute amounts for proper function?

Minerals are inorganic substances that the body requires in minute amounts for proper function, making them essential for various physiological processes. They play crucial roles in the formation of bones, the function of muscles, and the balance of fluids, among other functions. Minerals are necessary for the production of enzymes and hormones, and they help in maintaining proper nerve function.

Unlike vitamins, which are organic and can be broken down by heat or acidity, minerals are stable and retain their chemical structure. They can be categorized into macro-minerals, required in larger amounts (like calcium and magnesium), and trace minerals, required in smaller amounts (like iron and zinc), but all are vital to maintaining health.

Vitamins, proteins, and amino acids do not fit this definition as clearly as minerals. Vitamins, though essential, are organic compounds and not classified as inorganic. Proteins and amino acids are organic compounds that the body utilizes for building tissues, repairing cells, and providing energy, but they do not meet the criteria of being inorganic substances needed in minute amounts.