COPY: Are You a Mineral Expert?

Which of the following is NOT one of the major nutrient minerals in the human body?

Which of the following is a trace element that has a specific biochemical function in the human body?

Where do plants obtain nutrient minerals from?

Which of the following is a major mineral in the human body?

Which of the following is a trace element that is not mentioned in the text as having a specific biochemical function in the human body?

What is the primary source of minerals in a human diet?

Which of the following minerals is NOT one of the five major minerals in the human body?

What is the role of bacteria in mineral bioengineering?

What is the relationship between recommended daily intake and safe upper limits of minerals?

Minerals are chemical elements that are required as essential nutrients by organisms to perform functions necessary for life. The four major structural elements in the human body by weight (oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen) are not included in lists of major nutrient minerals. Nutrient minerals cannot be synthesized biochemically by living organisms and are obtained from soil by plants. The five major minerals in the human body are calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and magnesium. The trace elements that have a specific biochemical function in the human body are iron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, iodine, and selenium. Most chemical elements that are ingested by organisms are in the form of simple compounds. Most of the minerals in a human diet come from eating plants and animals or from drinking water. There is no scientific consensus on whether chromium is an essential trace element in humans. The gap between recommended daily intake and what are considered safe upper limits can be small. Minerals can be bioengineered by bacteria which act on metals to catalyze mineral dissolution and precipitation.

Test your knowledge about essential nutrient minerals with our quiz! From calcium to selenium, learn about the five major minerals and trace elements that play a vital role in the human body. Discover where these minerals come from, how they are obtained, and their specific biochemical functions. Challenge yourself to see if you can identify which minerals are essential for human health and which ones are not. Take our quiz and become a mineral expert!