NETA Personal Trainer Practice Exam

Which nutrient is primarily absorbed and transported through water in the body?

1. Proteins

2. Fats

3. Carbohydrates

4. Vitamins

The correct answer is: Vitamins

The correct answer is vitamins, particularly water-soluble vitamins, which include vitamin C and the B vitamins. These vitamins are absorbed directly into the bloodstream from the intestinal tract and are transported by water. Since they dissolve readily in water, their absorption and transportation are efficient, allowing for quick and effective delivery to various tissues and cells where they are needed for vital biochemical reactions. In contrast, proteins are macromolecules made up of amino acids that require specific processes to be broken down in the digestive system. While they are ultimately transported in blood, they are not primarily absorbed through water. Fats, being hydrophobic, require emulsification by bile salts for absorption and are transported mostly through the lymphatic system rather than direct absorption into water-based blood circulation. They are packaged into lipoproteins for transport. Carbohydrates are broken down into simpler sugars, like glucose, which can be dissolved in blood and transported as well. However, the primary focus of the question is on how vitamins, particularly the water-soluble ones, have a unique mechanism related to their absorption and transport via water in the body.