4.2 Water Soluble Vitamins Part 3

Question 1

What is folate?

Answer 1

functions as a coenzyme in DNA synthesis and cell division as well as metabolizing amino acids and homocysteine

Question 2

What are sources of folate?

Answer 2

meats
fish
eggs
milk

Question 3

What can a deficiency in folate lead to?

Answer 3

megaloblastic anemia
neural tube defects

Question 4

What are symptoms of folate deficiency?

Answer 4

depression
mental confusion
poor growth
diarrhea
altered nerve function

Question 5

What is megaloblastic anemia?

Answer 5

abnormally large red blood cells; never dividing red blood cells due to impairment of proper DNA synthesis

Question 6

What is anencephaly?

Answer 6

lack of a brain

Question 7

What is spina bifida?

Answer 7

improper developmeent of the spinal cord where it fails to close completely and bulges out the back

Question 8

How much folate should pregnant women consume?

Answer 8

400 mcg/day

Question 9

Who is at risk for folate deficiency?

Answer 9

pregnant women
alcoholics
older adults

Question 10

Wat is folic acid?

Answer 10

synthetic form of folate

Question 11

What is the upper limit of folate intake?

Answer 11

1000 mcg/day

Question 12

What form of folate can cause toxicity?

Answer 12

synthetic form

Question 13

What can overconsumption of folate mask?

Answer 13

vitamin B12 deficiency

Question 14

What is the major function of vitamin B12?

Answer 14

convert folate coenzyme to the active form needed for DNA synthesis

Question 15

What are the secondary functions of vitamin B12?

Answer 15

important in homocysteine metabolism and in maintaining the myelin sheaths

Question 16

Unlike the other vitamins, what causes vitamin B12 deficiency?

Answer 16

poor absorption

Question 17

What is necessary for vitamin B12 absorption?

Answer 17

intrinsic factor

Question 18

What is intrinsic factor?

Answer 18

glycoprotein produced in the stomach necessary for vitamin B12 absorption

Question 19

What are the two types of anemia that can occur from a vitamin B12 deficiency?

Answer 19

1. megaloblastic anemia
2. pernicious anemia

Question 20

What is megaloblastic anemia in relation to vitamin B12?

Answer 20

without B12, conversion of folate coenzymes to the active form to support proper DNA synthesis does not occur