The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Nutrients are chemically classified into macronutrients and micronutrients based on the quantity required, and functionally classified into energy-yielding, body-building, and protective foods.Statement 1 is Correct: Carbohydrates and fats are the primary substrates for energy production in the human body. Carbohydrates provide readily available energy (glucose), while fats serve as a concentrated energy reserve. Therefore, they are collectively known as "energy-giving foods."
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Proteins are primarily "body-building foods" required for the growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. While proteins can be catabolized to release energy during starvation or carbohydrate deficiency, their primary function is structural and enzymatic, not energetic. Minerals are inorganic elements required for regulation and structure, not for energy production.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Vitamins and minerals are essential micronutrients. Although required in small quantities, they are indispensable for physiological processes, metabolic regulation, and immune defense. They are classified as "protective foods," and their deficiency leads to specific diseases.
Key Takeaway: Food components are functionally categorized as Carbohydrates and Fats (Energy-giving), Proteins (Body-building), and Vitamins and Minerals (Protective/Regulatory).