Which of the following statements best distinguishes a vitamin from a mineral?

• A. A vitamin is always fat-soluble and stored in fat tissue whereas a mineral is water-soluble and excreted quickly in urine, so vitamins are organic while minerals are always inorganic elements that the body cannot store for long periods of time, unlike vitamins.
• B. A vitamin is an organic molecule that contains carbon and often acts as a biochemical cofactor, while a mineral is an inorganic chemical element that appears on the periodic table.
• C. A vitamin is a macronutrient contributing energy to the body, while a mineral is exclusively a cofactor for digestive enzymes and is not part of cellular structure.
• D. A vitamin functions exclusively as an antioxidant and must be synthesized in the body whereas a mineral functions only in bone structure and must be obtained from the environment.

Answer: (B)