Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What vitamin is essential for producing fatty acids and maintaining cerebral myelin?

1. Thiamine

2. Vitamin B12

3. Folic Acid

4. Vitamin D

The correct answer is: Thiamine

The essential vitamin for producing fatty acids and maintaining cerebral myelin is Vitamin B12. This vitamin plays a crucial role in the metabolism of fatty acids and the production of myelin, which is the protective sheath that surrounds nerve fibers in the brain and throughout the nervous system. Proper myelin maintenance is vital for the effective transmission of nerve impulses, which supports overall brain function. Moreover, Vitamin B12 is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and is necessary for the formation and maintenance of red blood cells. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to neurological problems and cognitive decline due to its critical role in myelination and fatty acid metabolism. Thiamine, folic acid, and vitamin D have their essential functions, but they do not directly relate to the production of fatty acids and the maintenance of cerebral myelin as significantly as Vitamin B12 does.