Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

PHAR 300 > L19: Vitamins > Flashcards

L19: Vitamins Flashcards

1
Q

What are vitamins?

A

Vitamins are considered drugs. They’re organic compounds present in food, and they’re not synthesized in the body. it is important to have a varied diet (animal & vegetable) in order to get all of your vitamins.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Does your body need a large amount of vitamins?

A

NO. the body needs a trace amounts of vitamins in order to have normal growth and bodily fucntions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Why are vitamin deficiencies serious? who are they most common in?

A

Vitamin deficiencies are serious because it can kill you. Vitamin deficiencies can affect multiple organ systems at once. They are most common in impoverished regions and malnutrition is a notorious cause of vitamin deficiency.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Give examples of people who are more susceptible to vitamin deficiency (not including impoverished people).

A
  1. People who go on “food fads” because they are often not eating a balanced diet.
  2. Alcoholics because they also have an unbalanced diet and get most of their calories from alcohol.
  3. Pregnant women
  4. Infants (because some vitamins are missing from breast milk)
  5. The elderly
  6. People with chronic diseases like an intestinal bowel disease where malabsorption of nutrients in the intestine occurs
  7. People who use chronic medications (can affect absorption)
  8. Strict vegans, undernourished populations
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does RDA mean?

A

Every vitamin has a recommended daily allowance (RDA).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are some consequences/symptoms of vitamin deficiencies? Which vitamin is deficient in each one?

A
  1. Beriberi (Vit. B1)
  2. Hemorrhage (Vit. K)
  3. Megaloblastic anemia (Vit. B12 and Folic acid)
  4. Night blindness (Vit. A)
  5. Rickets and osteomalacia ( Vit. D)
  6. Pellagra (Vit. B3)
  7. Scurvy (Vit. C)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the two subcategories of vitamins?

A
  1. Water-soluble: you need an almost continuous intake of these vitamins because they’re not stored. excess vitamin is excreted from the body.
  2. Fat-soluble: can be stored for variable times in body fat, so you can take these vitamins less frequently than water soluble vitamins.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the Fat-soluble vitamins?

A
  1. Vitamin A
  2. Vitamin D
  3. Vitamin E
  4. Vitamin K
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the water soluble vitamins?

A
  1. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

2. Vitamin B (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What sources is vitamin A derived from?

A

Animal sources like eggs, meat and dairy. Beta carotene is also a precursor of Vit A, and it is an orange coloured pigment that comes from green leafy vegetables and intensely coloured fruits and vegetables.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is retinol?

A

Vitamin A derivative?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is vitamin A important for?

A
  1. Maintenance of the retina (essential for vision)
  2. Normal teeth
  3. Soft tissue and skeletal tissue development.
  4. Aids in growth and health of skin and mucous membranes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe the structure of the retina.

A

In the retina, there is a layer of photoreceptor cells (rods and cones), a layer of bipolar cells, and a layer of ganglionic cells.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the role of the ganglionic cells in the retina?

A

To send the input to the optic nerve that then goes to the brain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the role of the layer of bipolar cells int he retina?

A

to control the intensity of the signal that goes tot he ganglionic cells and ultimately to the brain via the optic nerve.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Where is rhodopsin found? What is it? How does it work?

A

Within each rod there is a disk, and within each disk there is rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is a combination of retinal and opsin and is highly sensitive to light.

  1. When photons of light strike a rod, the configuration of retinal is changed from the cis to the trans isomer.
  2. The trans-retinal has a straighter form than the cis-isomer, and the straightened retinal detaches from opsin in each rod disk (disruption of the link between retinal and opsin).
  3. The detachment of retinal from opsin is coupled to G proteins.
  4. The activation of G alpha subunits closes sodium channels of the cell which causes the cell to hyperpolarize.
  5. There is therefore less inhibition from the rods to the bipolar cells, which allows them to stimulate ganglion cells so you can see.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are effects of vitamin A deficiency?

A
  1. Abnormal function of many epithelial cells in the body
  2. Night blindness (can’t see well in the dark)
  3. In childhood, severe vitamin A deficiency can lead to complete blindness and a scaly opaque film on the surface of the eye.
  4. Dry and scaly skin due to hyperkeratinisation.
  5. Infertility due to inadequate secretion from mucosal surfaces.
  6. Impaired immune response: causes increased susceptibility to infectious diseases where you could die because your immune system is to weak.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Where are vitamin A deficiencies very common?

A

in poor countries in Africa. They have an increased mortality rate from infectious diseases, up to 1M children will die form Vit. A deficiency due to immune system impairment, 0.5M go blind each year due to hyperkeratinisation in the eye.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is golden rice?

A

There is a type of golden rice that has been genetically modified to contain the beta carotene gene. Since beta carotene can be converted to vitamin A, the golden rice can save millions of people from death and blindness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What can happen with an excess of vitamin A?

A

Overdose of vitamin A can cause a lot of toxic side effects. Excess vitamin A can also cause fetal abnormalities which is why retinoids (vitamin A derivative) should not be taken during pregnancy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is vitamin D? Where is it made? where is it found?

A

Vitamin D is a prohormone. It is made in the skin when the skin is exposed to sun, however adequate amounts are not made in northern countries because the skin is not exposed to sun most of the year (ex: Canada). Vitamin D is also found in dairy products like fortified milk, cheese, fish, margarine, fortified cereals, and butter.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the purpose of vitamin D in the body?

A

to promote the body’s absorption of calcium which is essential for the development of healthy bones and teeth.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How is vitamin D made? What can affect it?

A

UV light reacts with an enzyme in the skin to make a vitamin D precursor, and then the liver (hydroxyVitD) and the kidney (dihydroxyVitD) convert precursors to biologically active Vitamin D.

P450’s are important for the synthesis of vitamin D, so deficiency in P450s or kidney problems may affect Vit D synthesis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What are the active metabolites of vitamin D?

A
  1. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D

2. 25-hidroxyvitamin D (to some extent)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is vitamin D’s method of action?

A
  1. Vitamin D binds to its receptor in the cytosol.
  2. The receptor translocates to the nucleus.
  3. In the nucleus, the receptor heterodimerizes and binds to the vitamin D response elements and turns them on.
  4. The transcription of thousands of genes is promoted including proteins that support bone formation and absorption of calcium from the intestine.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What are the proteins that vitamin D upregulates to promote bone formation?

A
  1. Calbindins: intestinal calcium binding proteins
  2. Osteoblast regulation: bone matrix proteins
  3. Type 1 collagen
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What does vitamin D downregulate?

A

It downregulates parathyroid hormone because parathyroid hormone decreases calcium absorption from bone and acts on cells of bone.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What happens if you have vitamin D deficiency?

A
  • If you don’t have enough vitamin D, or you’re not able to utilize it, there will be an extreme loss of calcium from the bone and subsequent weakening and softening of the bones. This is called rickets. Rickets occurs mostly in children, their growth will be impaired and so is their bone growth.
  • Can also lead to cardiovascular disease
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What are symptoms of rickets?

A

People who had rickets as children have permanently bowed legs. It also affects their joints and their spine.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Why is rickets no longer a problem (in Canada)? why did it used to be a problem?

A
  1. Rickets used to be a problem in Canada because people often don’t get enough sunlight throughout the year.
  2. It is no longer a problem because in 1906 a physician suggested adding vitamin D to milk because it would prevent the development of Rickets. Steinberg’s decreed that they would not buy milk from milk vendors if they didn’t fortify their milk with vitamin D, and the rest of stores followed suit. After this, rickets was no longer a problem.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Who is Susceptible to osteoperosis (porous bones)?

A

People who have vitamin D deficiency. These people are therefore more susceptible to bone injury (ex: hip, spine, and wrist fracture). The biggest danger of osteoperosis is compression of the spine, so the spine curves as a result. Osteoperosis should not happen because it is preventable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What process allows bones to be healthy and to heal? What does it help you heal from?

A

The continuous remodelling of bone: Osteoclasts remove damaged cells and osteoblasts replace them with healthier cells.
Allows the bones to heal bone fractures.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What is a simple way to test the status of your bone health?

A

Bone mineral density scanner.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

How can you prevent osteoporosis?

A

Have a healthy diet: get enough calcium and vitamin D

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What are the classical vitamin D functions?

A
  1. Calcium uptake,
  2. PTH synthesis,
  3. Osteoblast/osteoclast differentiation and function.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What are the non-classical functions of vitamin D?

A
  1. Maintaining blood pressure (anti-hypotensive)
  2. Fighting infections (anti-bacterial & anti-inflammatory)
  3. Anti-cancer and anti-proliferative properties
  4. Regulation of apoptosis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What is the non-classical action of vitamin D?

A

Numerous tissues can activate the pro-hormone.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Who are the people at risk of getting a vitamin D deficiency? How should those at risk prevent it?

A
  1. Breastfed infants
  2. Adults older than 80
  3. A sedentary lifestyle
  4. Obesity
  5. Restricted sun exposure and air pollution (can block UV light)
  6. Dark skin
  7. Fat malabsorption
  8. Alcoholism
  9. Some chronic medications like antihistamines and anticonvulsants
    Those at risk should take Vitamin D supplements
39
Q

What is vitamin E found in?

A

Corn, nuts, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, and wheat germ

40
Q

What organic compound has vitamin E actions? What are those actions?

A
  1. A mixture of compounds called Trocopherols

2. They are antioxidants and free radical scavengers.

41
Q

What are free radicals?

A

Free radicals are made by normal bodily functions so we need antioxidants to get rid of them. They have an unpaired electrons in its outer orbital, and trigger harmful chain reactions in the body. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals so that they don’t induce harm, such as damage done to cell membranes and tissues by free radical induced oxidation.

42
Q

What are some functions of Vitamin E?

A
  1. Helps with the formation of red blood cells
  2. Aids the use of vitamin K
  3. Helps promote a healthy cardiovascular system
43
Q

What problems can occur when you have a vitamin E deficiency?

A
  1. Hemolytic anemia: RBCs are lysing to the extent that you don’t have enough
  2. Damage to CNS (neurological) and vascular system (circulatory problems)
  3. Increase the risks of heart attacks (but vitamin E is not proven to reduce the risks)
44
Q

What are the long term consequences of chronic overdose of vitamin E?

A

May support the growth of prostate cancer.

45
Q

How do you protect the cardiovascular system and and red blood cells?

A

You need adequate vitamin E to protect the cardiovascular system and red blood cells not Mega doses of vitamin E.

46
Q

How is vitamin E safely administered? How is it UNsafely administered?

A

Safe: eat
Unsafe: inhale

47
Q

Why is vaping so unsafe?

A

Heating the flavourants in a vape at high temperatures creates many chemical changes in the ingredients and we don’t even know what those chemical compounds are. The long-term effects are not known. Vitamin E acetate (a derivative of vitamin E) is now recognized as one culprit in the cause of a horrible lung disease that has killed and hospitalized many individuals in the United States. It is now banned from e-cigarettes.

48
Q

How do you get vitamin K?

A
  1. In your diet through a lot of vegetables: green vegetables, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, leafy vegetables, and cereals
  2. Your intestinal bacteria can synthesize vitamin K
49
Q

What is Vitamin K necessary for?

A

It is necessary for the synthesis of thrombin; thus it is necessary for the coagulation of blood.

50
Q

What are you vulnerable to if you are deficient in vitamin K?

A

Excessive bleeding.

51
Q

What drug interferes with vitamin K?

A

Warfarin is an anticoagulant that interferes with the synthesis of vitamin K (a coagulant). It is the classical poison used for rodents. It must be used carefully because too large of a dose will cause bleeding. It is a good example of the principal “the dose makes the poison”.

52
Q

What is another name for vitamin C? Where can you get vitamin C?

A
  1. Ascorbic acid
  2. Vitamin C is found in:
    - Fruits and vegetables (citrus fruits, green peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, sweet and white potatoes).
53
Q

What does vitamin C do?

A
  1. Promotes a healthy immune system
  2. Helps in wound healing and maintains connective tissue
  3. Aids in the absorption of iron
  4. Essential for the activity of many enzymes because it is an electron donor in various enzymatic reactions
  5. Important in the synthesis of collagen (holds everything together in the dermis and in other tissues as it is part of the extracellular matrix)
  6. Antioxidant
54
Q

What is the RDA of vitamin C?

A

60 mg

55
Q

Can humans synthesize vitamin C? Why or why not?

A

A lot of mammals don’t need as much vitamin C from the diet because they can make it on their own, but humans don’t have one of the enzymes that synthesizes vitamin C. In humans the gene to make vitamin C is mutated.

56
Q

What are free radicals formed from?

A

Can be formed from exposure to cigarette smoke and air pollution, they’re formed during the inflammatory reaction such that they are actually created inside lysosomes to kill bacteria, made in mitochondria during normal metabolism, and they’re stimulated by exposure to UV light which is why it can cause cancer. Free radicals are dangerous because they can cause DNA damage.

57
Q

What disease can be caused by a deficiency of vitamin C?

A

Scurvy: easy bruising sue to fragile blood vessels (lack of platelets), anemia (lack of RBCs), weakness, gum bleeding and loss of teeth due to loosened teeth, can cause death.

58
Q

Does taking large doses of vitamin C give any benefits? What happens when you take large doses?

A

No, it does not prevent colds or cancers. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water soluble drug, this means that it is not protein bound in the blood so the body absorbs what it needs, and the rest is excreted by the kidney.

59
Q

Who would benefit from taking vitamin C supplements?

A
  • Smokers
  • People who have inadequate diets
  • People who have malabsorption (GI disorders)
60
Q

What is another name for Vitamin B1?

A

Thiamine

61
Q

What natural products is Vitamin B1 found in?

A
  • Lean meats
  • Fish
  • Milk
  • Fortified breads and cereals
62
Q

What is the RDA of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)?

A

1.5 mg

63
Q

What is the role of Vitamin B1 (thiamine)?

A

Helps the body convert food into energy (metabolism), is important for normal function of the cardiovascular system, the nervous system, and the brain.

64
Q

What occurs in individuals with a Thiamine (B1) deficiency?

A

Beriberi: Problems with metabolism, the cardiovascular system, and encephalopathy (problems with the nervous system-brain).
This disease used to be fairly common, still present in poor countries.

65
Q

Who are at a higher risk of encephalopathy?

A

Alcoholics. They are at risk of brain damage both from the alcohol they drink, and from a thiamine deficiency due to having an unbalanced diet.

66
Q

What is another name for vitamin B2?

A

Riboflavin

67
Q

What are natural sources vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)?

A

Cereal, nuts, milk, eggs, green leaf vegetables, lean meats.

68
Q

What is the RDA of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)?

A

1.7 mg

69
Q

What is the role of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)?

A

Works with other B vitamins to promote healthy growth and healthy RBC production and tissue repair. Also helps release energy from carbohydrates.

70
Q

hat is another name for Vitamin B3?

A

Niacin

71
Q

What are natural sources of vitamin B3?

A

Dairy, poultry, fish, nuts, eggs, and lean meat.

72
Q

What is the role of vitamin B3 (Niacin)?

A

Central role in energy metabolism, in oxidative phosphorylation, electron transfer, and a cofactor for P450 enzymes.

73
Q

What happens when you have a deficiency in Vitamin B3 (Niacin)?

A

Disease: Pellagra
Symptoms: Scaly sores on the skin and mouth, swollen tongue, changes in the oral mucosa, and effects on the central nervous system (mental symptoms).

74
Q

What are the 3 D’s of Pellagra?

A

Diarrhea
Dementia
Dermatitis
(Possibly death)

75
Q

How is Pellagra cured for most of the world? What about the rest?

A

Most: Niacin is added in flour.
The rest: A lot of people live on corn, which lacks Niacin, so they become deficient (ex: India). These people are treated right away via Niacin supplements. Can prevent serious symptoms and death if caught early enough.

76
Q

What is another name for Vitamin B5? What is it?

A

Pantothenic acid.

It is a vitamin found in a variety in foods and a deficiency is very rare.

77
Q

What is another name for Vitamin B6?

A

Pyridoxine

78
Q

What is the RDA of Pyridoxine (B6)?

A

2 mg

79
Q

What are the natural sources of Pyridoxine (B6)?

A

Beans, legumes, nuts, eggs, meats, fish, breads, and cereals.

80
Q

What are the roles of Pyridoxine (B6)?

A

Important in the normal function of the Central nervous system and the cardiovascular system.
Supports the immune system.

81
Q

What is another name for Vitamin B9?

A

Folate

82
Q

What are the natural sources of B9 (folate)?

A

Leafy vegetables and can be added to various foods.

In Canada, it is mandatory to add folate to flour.

83
Q

What are the roles of folate (B9)?

A
  • Important in DNA synthesis at several stages of development
  • Important for RBC production
  • Works with Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C to help the body digest and utilize proteins
84
Q

What happens when you get a Vitamin B9 deficiency? How common is this?

A
  • Megaloblastic anemia: Bone marrow tries to make RBCs, but does not have enough B9, so the RBCs are released without being fully mature. Megaloblasts are in the circulation and can’t cant perform normal RBC functions.
  • Spinal abnormalities in fetus
  • Not a very common deficiency as it is mandatory that certain foods be fortified by folate, such as flour.
85
Q

What are the mandatory fortification of foods in Canada?

A
  • Vitamin D in milk
  • Folate and Niacin in flower
  • Iodine in salt
86
Q

What are the natural sources of Vitamin B12?

A

Found in many different animal products: eggs, meat, poultry, milk, milk products, shellfish.

87
Q

What are the roles of Vitamin B12?

A
  • DNA synthesis
  • Synthesis of myelin
  • Essential in normal CNS functioning (brain and spinal cord) and RBC formation.
  • Important in metabolism
  • Important for cardiovascular system
88
Q

What is the path that Vitamin B12 takes in the body?

A
  1. B12 enters the stomach bound to a protein where HCl causes the dissociation from that protein.
  2. B12 binds to intrinsic factor which is secreted by the parietal cells in the stomach.
  3. Both travel through the intestine to the ileum where the intrinsic factor allows B12 to be absorbed.
  4. Once in the epithelial cells of the intestine, B12 separates from the intrinsic factor and can go into the systemic circulation.
89
Q

What happens if you are deficient in intrinsic factor?

A
  • A deficiency in intrinsic factor can cause a deficiency in B12. Some people have a decrease in their ability to make intrinsic factor as they age, so they need to take supplements.
  • Megaloblastic anemia
  • Psychiatric abnormalities
  • Neuropathy
90
Q

How do you know is a vitamin supplement is good to take?

A

Doesn’t need to be expensive, just has to say “consumer lab approved” on the label.

91
Q

Can vitamins cure ADHD or diabetes? Acne? Infertility?

A

No.

92
Q

Can vitamins treat depression and anxiety?

A

No

93
Q

What is vitamin water?

A

Owned by coca cola, claims that it defends the body against chronic diseases, promotes healthy joints, etc.
It’ actually just sugar water that promotes diabetes, obesity, and other diseases.

PHAR 300 (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions