What physiologic role does magnesium play in the body?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Magnesium plays an important role in maintaining calcium homeostasis and preventing skeletal abnormalities. It is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions, including energy metabolism, insulin activity, and glucose use. Magnesium is vital to the structural integrity of heart muscle and other muscles and nerves. While magnesium does play a role in blood clotting, nerve impulses, muscle contraction, relaxation, ATP energy release, and metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, the primary physiologic role of magnesium in the body is related to calcium homeostasis and maintaining the structural integrity of the heart muscle. Choice A is incorrect because it includes functions of magnesium, but they are not its primary physiologic role. Choice C is incorrect as magnesium has several known metabolic functions. Choice D is incorrect because although magnesium is involved in ATP energy release and metabolism, its primary role is related to calcium homeostasis and structural integrity of muscle.