Question 9
Which mineral salt is an essential component of nucleic acid, and is also needed for the growth of teeth and bones?
The right answer is the one marked above.
Phosphorus. It is essential for teeth and bone growth, is an essential component of nucleic acid, matters in carbohydrate and fat metabolism, and helps release energy suddenly in muscles and nerves.
Where a shortage shows: bones weaken and break easily. Nitrogen is not on the human list at all — it appears in the table for plants, where it builds amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes and chlorophyll.