Which of the following nutrients is essential for the production of enzymes and hormones?

Proteins are essential for the production of enzymes and hormones because they are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks necessary for these biological molecules. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions, facilitating processes crucial for metabolism and other cellular functions. Hormones, which can also be composed of proteins (like insulin), play vital roles in regulating various physiological processes in the body.

While carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins all play significant roles in overall health and metabolism, they do not serve the same fundamental role in the synthesis of enzymes and hormones as proteins do. Carbohydrates primarily provide energy, fats are important for energy storage and cell membrane structure, and vitamins function mainly as co-factors or co-enzymes in various biological reactions. Thus, proteins stand out as the key nutrients specifically required for the creation of enzymes and hormones.