Biochem: Vitamins Flashcards
Name the two essential fatty acids. What two things can result from a deficiency in either one?
- Linoleic Acid
- Linolenic Acid
- Lack of eicosanoid synthesis
- Scaly Dermatitis
Condition caused by a lack of overall caloric insufficiency.
Marasmus
Condition caused by a sufficient calories with insufficient protein.
Kwashiorker
What is Vit. A used for and what can result from a deficiency?
Used for protein synthesis for normal vision.
Def.: night blindness, xerophthalmia, pulmonary infection
What is Vit. B2 (riboflavin) used for and what can result from a deficiency?
Used: FAD synthesis for energy production
Def: glossitis, dermatitis
What is Vit. B1 (thiamine) used for and what can result from a deficiency?
Used: branched chain amino acid metabolism
Def.: Wernicke Encephalopathy, Korsakoff syndrome, Wet Beri Beri
What is Niacin used for and what can result from a deficiency?
Used: NAD synthesis for energy production, HDL production
Def.: pellagra (4 D’s)
What is Vit. B6 (pyridoxine) used for and what can result from a deficiency?
Used: AA metabolism
Def.: makes all AA essential, Sideroblastic anemia (no heme production)
What is folate used for and what can result from a deficiency?
Used: cell division and nucleic acid production
Def: neural tube defects in fetuses of pregnant women
What is Vit. B12 (cobalamin) used for and what can result from a deficiency?
Used: folate metabolism and protein synthesis
Def.: pernicious anemia
How can you differentiate a Folic Acid deficiency from a B12 deficiency?
Lab Tests:
-a deficiency in either one leads to increased homocysteine levels because both are needed to convert homocysteine to methionine
-B12 is all that is needed to methylmalonyl CoA to Succynyl CoA in the citric acid cycle. So an additional increase in methylmalonyl CoA would indicate B12 and not folate deficiency
What is Vit. C used for and what can result from a deficiency?
Used: hydroxylation of procollagen to give connective tissue strength
Def.: scurvy
What is Vit. D used for and what can result from a deficiency?
Used: increasing duodenal absorption of calcium and encouraging bone formation
Def.: rickets, osteomalacia
What is Vit. E used for and what can result from a deficiency?
Used: regeneration of the body’s natural antioxidants, immune and anti-platelet effects
Def.: ataxia, myopathy
What is Vit. K used for and what can result from a deficiency?
Used: in clotting cascade
(conversion of glutamic acid to carboxyglutamic acid using a vit. K dependent carboxylase)
Def.: bleeding problems
