Exam 2, folate

Question 1

folate coenzyme

Answer 1

THF

Question 2

folate structure

Answer 2

escalonado, N5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate carries methyl groups

Question 3

what is the folate found in food

Answer 3

polyglutamates: not biologically active b/c bound to a string of glutamates

Question 4

folate and B12 relation

Answer 4

B12 needs methyl group to be activated, and B9 needs to lose it to be activated. so in cells, B12 breaks and keeps the methyl group in inactive folate to activates both

Question 5

folate digestion

Answer 5

food as polyglutamates, intestine breaks glutamates off and + methyl group, folate is absorbed -> cells, in cells folate is inactive (and then B12 comes in and they’re available for DNA synthesis)

Question 6

what is 5’ methyl THF important for

Answer 6

methionine synthesis from homocysteine (protects heart health)

Question 7

term for cluster of B9

Answer 7

folate

Question 8

oxidized/ most stable form, in pills

Answer 8

folic acid

Question 9

metabolism of AA

Answer 9

-interconversion of glycine and serine
-homocysteine to methionine

Question 10

methionine importance

Answer 10

methionine converts to SAM, needed for histone methylation (protection of DNA)

Question 11

macrocytic anemia

Answer 11

-folate, B12
-irregular shape because of impaired cell division
-cause fatigue, headache, palpitations

Question 12

deficiency of folate symptoms

Answer 12

-macrocytic anemia
-neural tube defects: spina bifida, anencephaly, encephalocele
-homocysteinemia (increased homocysteine because it’s not being converted to methionine)
-smooth, swollen tongue
-change in intestinal cells
-cancer

Question 13

photo: baby with neural tube defect clearly seen in spine

Answer 13

spina bifida: folate deficiency

Question 14

photo: baby without a brain

Answer 14

anencephaly: folate deficiency

Question 15

photo: baby with bump in base of neck

Answer 15

encephalocele (brain herniates through skull): folate deficiency

Question 16

hyperhomocysteinemia

Answer 16

-associated with premature coronary heart disease
-supplementation is best at high levels of homocysteine
-also associated with alzheimer’s

Question 17

relation between folate and cancer

Answer 17

dual role
-adequate intake: protects against early cancer
-excess intake: promotes carcinogenesis

Question 18

photo: chicken that stays small

Answer 18

folic acid deficiency

Question 19

folate RDI

Answer 19

400 micrograms
600 micrograms in pregnancy
*UL in pregnancy is 800 micrograms because normally it is 1000 micrograms

Question 20

why should pregnant women be very careful with folate supplementation

Answer 20

not enough: could cause neural defects for their child
too much: could accelerate cell division even more than it already is which is dangerous

Question 21

main source folate

Answer 21

spinach