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Which micronutrient can be stored in the body for future use as the protein complex ferritin?
Vitamin C
Sodium
Vitamin K
Iron
The correct answer is: Iron
Iron is the micronutrient that can be stored in the body for future use in the form of the protein complex known as ferritin. Ferritin serves as the primary storage form of iron in the body's tissues. When the body requires iron, it can mobilize it from ferritin to participate in various essential functions, such as the formation of hemoglobin, which is crucial for transporting oxygen in the blood. Understanding the roles of different micronutrients helps highlight why ferritin is specifically associated with iron. Other options, such as vitamin C, sodium, and vitamin K, do not have a similar storage mechanism. While vitamin C is water-soluble and generally not stored in significant amounts, sodium is an electrolyte that is regulated primarily through dietary intake and excretion rather than long-term storage. Vitamin K, while important for blood clotting and bone health, does not form a storage complex like ferritin; instead, it has limited storage capacity in the liver and is primarily acquired through diet. This reinforces the unique role of iron and ferritin in maintaining body iron levels and fulfilling physiological needs.