Which of the following nutrients does not contain carbon?

The correct option indicates that minerals are the nutrients that do not contain carbon. Minerals are inorganic compounds that arise from geological processes and consist of elements such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and others. Unlike organic nutrients, which are based on carbon structures, minerals are typically crystalline or ionic in nature, making them essential for various bodily functions without any carbon component.

In contrast, all other listed nutrients — vitamins, proteins, and carbohydrates — have carbon as a fundamental component of their molecular structure. Vitamins, while varying in structure, almost all contain carbon in addition to hydrogen, oxygen, and sometimes nitrogen. Proteins are made up of amino acids that contain carbon along with other elements, forming the basis of their complex structures. Carbohydrates primarily consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, with their formulas evidencing a clear carbon presence. Thus, minerals distinctly stand out as the only group among these nutrients that lacks any carbon content.