Iron

Question 1

What are the two forms of iron?

Answer 1

Haem iron/ferrous iron

Non-haem iron/ferric iron

Question 2

What is haem iron/ferrous iron?

2

Answer 2

Iron which is easily absorbed by the body

Sources are meat

Question 3

What is non-haem/ferric iron?

2

Answer 3

Iron which is not easily absorbed by the body as it must be changed into ferrous iron to be easily absorbed

Non-meat sources

Question 4

List the sources of haem iron/ferrous iron

4

Answer 4

Red meat such as beef or lamb
Offal such as kidney or liver
Poultry such as chicken or turkey
Meat products such as black pudding

Question 5

List the sources of non-haem iron/ferric iron

4

Answer 5

Cereals
Pulses such as lentils
Eggs
Leafy green vegetables such as spinach or cabbage

Question 6

What are the functions of iron?

5

Answer 6

Makes red blood cells

Forms haemoglobin

Forms part of myoglobin

Works with enzymes to release energy from food

Essential for the immune system

Question 7

Iron makes red blood cells and forms haemoglobin, describe these functions

Answer 7

Iron makes red blood cells and forms haemoglobin which is a red protein pigment found in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen around the body

Question 8

Iron makes part of myoglobin, describe this function

Answer 8

Iron forms part of myoglobin which carries oxygen to muscles for energy

Question 9

What are the effects of an iron deficiency?

4

Answer 9

Anaemia

Muscle fatigue

The body has less energy

Heart damage due to severe anaemia

Question 10

A lack of iron results in anaemia, describe this deficiency

Answer 10

Anaemia may occur due to lack of haemoglobin and red blood cells which cause a reduction in the oxygen levels in he blood

Question 11

List some symptoms of anaemia

5

Answer 11

Tiredness
Pale skin 
Shortness of breath 
Irritability 
Dizziness

Question 12

A lack of iron results in muscle fatigue, describe this deficiency

Answer 12

Muscle fatigue due to lack of oxygen as myoglobin is not being formed which can decrease athletic performance

Question 13

List the factors that assist the absorption of iron

4

Answer 13

Consuming haem iron with non-haem iron
Vitamin C
Hydrochloric acid
Haem iron over non-haem iron

Question 14

How does consuming haem iron with non-haem iron assist the absorption of iron?

Answer 14

Consuming both forms of iron together increases the amount of non-haem iron that is absorbed

Question 15

How does consuming foods high in vitamin C assist in the absorption of iron?

Answer 15

Consuming food high in vitamin C chemically changes non-haem iron to the more easily absorbed haem iron

Question 16

How does hydrochloric acid assist in the absorption of iron?

Answer 16

Acidity from hydrochloric acid in the stomach chemically changes non-haem iron to the more easily absorbed haem iron

Question 17

List the factors hindering the absorption of iron

5

Answer 17

Tannins 
Excess dietary fibre 
Phytic acid 
Oxalic acid 
Non-haem iron only

Question 18

How does tannins hinder the absorption of iron?

Answer 18

Tannins present in tea and coffee binds to iron which inhibits absorption

Question 19

How does excess dietary fibre hinder the absorption of iron?

Answer 19

Excess dietary fibre binds to iron inhibiting absorption

Question 20

How does phytic acid hinder the absorption of iron?

Answer 20

Phytic acid in wholegrain bread and seeds binds to iron inhibiting absorption

Question 21

How does oxalic acid hinder the absorption of iron?

Answer 21

Oxalic acid in rhubarb and spinach binds to iron, inhibiting absorption

Question 22

How does choosing non-haem iron only hinder the absorption of iron?

Answer 22

Choosing non-haem iron sources only hinder the absorption of iron because little of it is absorbed

Question 23

What is the RDA of iron for children and adult males?

Answer 23

10 mg

Question 24

What is the RDA of iron for teens and adult females?

Answer 24

14 mg

Question 25

What is the RDA of iron for pregnant/lactating women?

Answer 25

15 mg