1.3 Vitamins & Minerals

Question 1

What are vitamins?

Answer 1

Organic molecules that are needed by the body in very small amounts

Question 2

A vitamin that we can obtain from other sources are…

Answer 2

Vitamin D (made by the body by the action of UV rays from sun to skin)

Question 3

Some mineral salts are needed in fairly high amounts and are called…

Answer 3

Macronutrients

Question 4

Some are needed in much smaller amounts

Answer 4

Micronutrients

Question 5

Calcium is found in

Answer 5

Dairy food and eggs

Question 6

Function of calcium

Answer 6

Makes up bones an teeth, needed for blood clotting

Question 7

Phosphate is found in

Answer 7

Dairy foods, eggs, meats

Question 8

Function of phosphate is

Answer 8

Makes nucleic acids, ATP, phospholipids, bones & teeth

Question 9

Iron is found in

Answer 9

Liver, green vegetables

Question 10

Function of iron is

Answer 10

Makes haemoglobin and myoglobin

Question 11

Sodium is found in

Answer 11

Table salt, dairy foods, meat, eggs and vegetables

Question 12

Function of sodium is

Answer 12

Needed for nerve and muscle action

Question 13

Where can vitamin D be stored?

Answer 13

In our muscles and body fat

Question 14

Why is vitamin D needed?

Answer 14

To absorb calcium ions from the food in our guts and to assist in depositing calcium in bone cells

Question 15

Lack of a vitamin can lead to

Answer 15

Deficiency disease

Question 16

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to…

Answer 16

Rickets (soft bones in children), gradual softening of bones (bones become painful and more likely to fracture in adults)
Pregnant women should increase their vitamin D intake as it is needed for the foetus’ developing bones

Question 17

Why is vitamin K important?

Answer 17

In blood clotting - found in dark green vegetables

Question 18

Why is vitamin A needed?

Answer 18

To make pigment rhodopsin, present in the rod cells of the eye - which are needed for vision in dim light - can be stored in the liver
-Found in milk, egg yolks and carrots

Question 19

A lack of vitamin A can lead to…

Answer 19

Blindness through inflammation and scarring of the cornea of the eye
Also causes ‘night blindness’ (inability to see in dim light)

Question 20

Vitamin E acts as a…

Answer 20

An antioxidant, and seems to be beneficial in preventing cancer.

Question 21

High amounts of vitamin D can lead to…

Answer 21

Kidney damage and kidney stones

Question 22

Too much vitamin A can be

Answer 22

Toxic and can lead to serious side-effects including liver damage