In broad terms, vitamins & minerals are nutrients that the body needs to function properly. Vitamins are made by living things, while minerals come from the earth. This means that vitamins are organic substances (contains carbon), and minerals are inorganic (does not contain carbon). A mineral is an element, which is a substance in its purest form. On the other hand, vitamins are molecules made of atoms. To learn more, see "Elements, Atoms & Ions". Because of this, unlike minerals, which retain their chemical structure, vitamins can be broken down by heat, air, or acid. Minerals are easier to incorporate into the diet because minerals in water and soil make their way into plants & animals and retain their structure when you eat them. However, heat, storage, and even exposure to the air can break vitamins down and render them ineffective. Hover over the tiles below to see the function and sources of the different vitamins. Minerals are essential for building bones, transmitting nerve mpulses (learn the chemistry behind in this in "Elements, Atoms & Ions"), and creating hormones & enzymes.