Infants require many nutrients early in life, including lipids such as fats. A low-fat diet for infants is not recommended because, among other things, it can affect the development of the nervous system. Why does the developing nervous system need lipids?
A) Glial cells need lipids to produce the myelin sheath.
B) Fats are needed for energy because infants are often on a low-carbohydrate diet.
C) Lipids are needed to produce the polypeptide neurotransmitters used by neurons.
D) Fats are required to generate action potentials on nerve cells.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lipids, specifically certain types of lipids such as cholesterol and sphingolipids, are crucial for the production and maintenance of myelin sheaths around axons in the nervous system. Myelin sheaths allow for faster transmission of signals along neurons, which is important for proper functioning of the nervous system.

Infants Require Many Nutrients Early in Life, Including Lipids Such