Minerals Flashcards
What are minerals?
Inorganic elements required as nutrients.
What are the two broad classifications of minerals?
- Macrominerals (>0.01% of the diet).
- Micro/ trace minerals (<0.01% of the diet).
Why would feedstuffs vary in the quantities of minerals they provide?
For plants, It will depend on the concentration of the minerals in the soil.
What are the 6 macrominerals?
- Calcium.
- Phosphorus.
- Magnesium.
- Sodium.
- Potassium.
- Chloride.
What are the functions of calcium?
- Bone mineralization (Ca into hydroxyapatite).
- Enzyme activation (blood clotting factor).
- Second messenger (muscle contraction).
What are the signs of a calcium deficiency?
- Impaired nerve function.
- Muscle function.
*Milk fever is not the same thing as a calcium deficiency.
What form is phosphorous typically found in in the diet?
Phosphate.
What are the functions of phosphorous?
- Bone mineralization (P in hydroxyapatite).
- Enzymatic reactions.
- Oxidative phosphorylation (ATP generation).
- Reversible modification of proteins (by enzymes modified by phosphates).
- Acid-base buffer (bind or release H+).
- Signaling molecules (cyclic AMP).
- DNA and RNA (phosphate in the back bone, phosphodiester bonds).
- PHOSPHOlipids.
Where is phosphorous deficiency common?
In areas with low levels of phosphorous in the soil.
What are the signs of a phosphorous deficiency?
Pica.
What mineral must phosphorus be kept in balance with and why?
Calcium. Due to both being excreted together, if the typical 2 Ca: 1 P is thrown off, the one that is over supplemented will lead to a deficiency in the other one (even if it is kept the same as it normally would be).
What is rickets/osteomalacia caused by?
A deficiency of Ca, P, vitamin D, 2 of them, or all of them.
What physical abnormality is linked with rickets/osteomalacia?
Poorly mineralized, spongy bone.
What are the functions of magnesium?
- Nucleic acid and protein synthesis (Polymerase enzymes).
- Second messenger.
- Cellular energy metabolism (Hexokinase, enolase).
- Ion channels (Na+-K+ ATPase channel).
- Anion charge neutralization (ATP being neutralized).
What are the signs of a magnesium deficiency?
- Convulsions.
- Muscle twitching.
*Grass tetany is an associated condition.
Why are sodium, potassium, and chloride classified together?
They are all electrolytes.
What are the functions of sodium, potassium, chloride?
- Nutrient transport.
- Membrane potential.
- Extracellular fluid volume (water balance and retention).
What are the signs of a sodium, potassium, chloride deficiency?
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Diarrhea (decreased nutrient absorption and GI contractions).
- Vomiting.
What is the function of iodine?
Thyroid hormone synthesis.
What is the sign of an iodine deficiency?
Goiter.
What are the functions of selenium?
- Deiodinases (activate thyroid hormone).
- Glutathione peroxidase (Antioxidant function).
- Selenoprotein P (plasma).*
- Selenoprotein W (muscle).*
*Both act like glutathione peroxidase.
Why are both selenium toxicity and deficiency a risk when feeding selenium?
Selenium has a narrow safety level, making it easy for it to be under or over supplemented.
What are the signs of a selenium deficiency?
- White muscle disease (oxidative damage).
- Liver necrosis.
What are the signs of selenium toxicity?
- Blind staggers.
- Abnormal hoof growth.
- Abnormal hair growth.
How is iron stored in the body?
Bound to ferritin in the liver.
How is iron transported in the body?
Bound to transferrin.
What are the functions of iron?
- Heme protein (Hemoglobin, Myoglobin, catalase).
- Proteins with iron-sulfate centers (Aconitase).
What is the sign of an iron deficiency?
Anemia.
What are the functions of zinc?
- Zn metalloenzymes (Aminopeptidases, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate).
- Lymphocytes.
- Zn-finger protein (Gene transcription).
What are the signs of a zinc deficiency?
- Decreased growth.
- Periocular dermatitis.
What are the functions of copper?
- Cu Metalloenzymes: Cytochrome C oxidase.
- Iron metabolism through the creation of ceruloplasmin, which allows iron to bind to transferrin.
- Neutrophil and T lymphocyte function.
- Bone and vascular function through collagen and elastin synthesis.
What are the signs of a copper deficiency?
- GI disturbances.
- Anemia.
- Ataxia.
- Hair depigmentation.
- Abnormal bone formation.
- Reduced growth.
- Aortic rupture (inflexibility).
What are the functions of manganese?
- Mn metalloenzymes: Pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase.
- Cartilage formation.
What are the signs of a manganese deficiency?
- Defective bone formation.
- Perosis (slipped tendon) in poultry.
What are zinc, copper, and manganese all necessary in the formation of?
Superoxide dismutases.
*One for each.
What is the function of superoxide dismutases?
To act as antioxidants by catalyzing the reaction of free radical oxygen to hydrogen peroxide.
What two enzymes convert hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen?
- Glutathione peroxidase.
- Catalase.
What type of animal requires sulfur and why?
- Ruminants.
- The rumen microbes require sulfur for sulfur-amino acid synthesis.
What are the 2 sulfur amino acids?
- Methionine.
- Cysteine.
What are the signs of a sulfur deficiency?
- Reduced weight gain.
- Poor wool growth.
