11 Vitamins and Minerals

Question 1

Purposes of micronutrients

Answer 1

Form prosthetic groups of enzymes or serve as their cofactors
Hormones (A, D)
Cell growth, proliferation and differentiation

Question 2

Micronutrient deficiency is caused by

Answer 2

Inadequate intake
Increased demand
Poor absorption
Inefficient utilization
Increased loss

Question 3

Function of
1. beta-carotene
2. retinal
3. retinoic acid
4. oral isotretinoin

Answer 3

1. antioxidant
2. produce visual pigment rhodopsin
3. proper differentiation of epithelial cells
4. treat severe acne but teratogenic

Question 4

What is retinoic acid?

Answer 4

nuclear hormone that binds to transcription factors -> influence the transcription of specific genes

Growth, differentiation and proliferation of cells;
in embryonic development and organogenesis;
in the maintenance of epithelia

Question 5

Symptoms of hypovitaminosis A

Answer 5

Night blindness
Keratomalacia
Permanent blindness
Growth impediment
impaired wound healing

Question 6

Symptoms of hypervitaminosis A

Answer 6

Liver toxicity
Birth defects in infants (cleft palates, heart abnormalities)

Question 7

Form of Vitamin D in liver

Answer 7

25-hydroxyvitamin D

Question 8

Form of vitamin D in kidneys

Answer 8

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D

Question 9

Deficiencies of vitamin D is due to

Answer 9

inadequate dietary intake
disruption of lipid absorption
poor functioning of liver and kidneys
hypoparathyroidism
lack of exposure to sunlight

Question 10

Symptoms of hypervitaminosis D

Answer 10

hypercalcemia
deposition of calcium in organs
hypercalciuria
kidney stones

Question 11

Vitamin E role

Answer 11

antioxidant to protect cells from harmful effects of reactive oxygen species generated from free radicals reacting with oxygen

Question 12

Symptoms of hypovitaminosis E

Answer 12

Haemolytic anaemia
Neurological & neuromuscular dysfunctions
retinopathy

Question 13

Blood clotting mechanism of vitamin K

Answer 13

Phylloquinone -> hydroquinone -> gamma-carboxylation of percursor clotting factor to form mature clotting factor -> vitamin K epoxide

Question 14

Vitamin K deficiency is caused by

Answer 14

absorption of lipids disrupted
gut bacteria that synthesize vitamin K is absent
warfarin taken

Question 15

Symptoms of hypovitaminosis K

Answer 15

Bleeding and bruising
anaemic, weak, present with nose bleeds, bleeding gums, heavy menstrual bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding

Question 16

Functions of vitamin C

Answer 16

Antioxidant
Reducing agent (keeps iron in reduced state, facilitates collagen folding and stability)

Question 17

Symptoms of hypovitaminosis C

Answer 17

Scurvy - sore and spongy gums, loose teeth, fragile blood vessels, swollen joints, anaemia

Question 18

Hypervitaminosis C risks

Answer 18

developing renal oxalate stones in patients undergoing dialysis

Question 19

Hormones that regulate blood levels of calcium and phosphate

Answer 19

Calcitriol (1,25-OH2-D3), produced by kidneys
Parathyroid hormone (PTH), produced by parathyroid gland
Calcitonin, produced by thyroid gland

Question 20

Zinc deficiency cause

Answer 20

major burns and renal demage
lost during dialysis
during intravenous feeding