Chapter 2: Vitamins Flashcards
Vitamins are essential compounds that are needed for?
Normal cells function, growth and development.
Vitamins are only required by?
The body in small quantities.
How many essential vitamins are required for the body to work properly?
13.
What does Vitamin A (first essential vitamin) do?
Is essential for vision.
What does Vitamin B6 (second essential vitamin) do?
Helps make red blood cells; influences cognitive abilities and immune function.
What does Vitamin B12 (third essential vitamin) do?
Protects nerve cells and encourages their normal growth; helps make red blood cells.
What does Vitamin C (fourth essential vitamin) do?
Helps make collagen, connective tissue that knits together wounds and supports blood vessels walls (foods rich in vitamin C may lower the risk for some cancers).
What does Vitamin E (sixth essential vitamin) do?
Prevents the breakdown of Vitamin A; acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing unstable molecules that can damage cells.
What does Vitamin D (fifth essential vitamin) do?
Required for normal bone growth and calcium absorption.
What does Vitamin K (seventh essential vitamin) do?
Activates proteins and calcium essential to blood clotting.
What does Biotin (eighth essential vitamin) do?
Helps convert food into energy; needs for healthy bones and hair.
What does Folic Acid (ninth essential vitamin) do?
Helps the body make healthy new cells; helps prevent brain and spine birth defects when taken early in pregnancy.
What does Niacin (tenth essential vitamin) do?
Helps convert food into energy.
What does Pantothenic Acid (eleventh essential vitamin) do?
Helps convert food into energy.
What does Riboflavin (twelfth essential vitamin) do?
Helps convert food into energy.
