2. Electrolytes: ions such as sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, and magnesium that are dissolved in body fluids and play important roles in many physiological processes, including maintaining the balance of fluids and the electrical excitability of cells.
3. Proteins: these large molecules play diverse roles in the body, including structural support, enzyme catalysis, hormone regulation, and immune defense.
4. Carbohydrates: sugars and starches that provide energy and serve as building blocks for various structures in the body.
5. Lipids: fats and oils that store energy, insulate organs, and form the structural framework of cell membranes.
6. Hormones: chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands and transported in the bloodstream to regulate various physiological processes.
7. Vitamins: organic molecules that are required in small amounts for the body to function properly and are obtained from the diet.
8. Minerals: inorganic elements that are essential for various physiological processes and are obtained from the diet.
