Minerals Flashcards
What are minerals?
Inorganic elements needed by the body for functions such as building tissues, regulating body fluids, assisting in body functions, and helping form body structures.
What do minerals remain as when food is burned?
Ash
What are the two classifications of minerals?
- Major minerals
- Trace minerals
What is the daily requirement for major minerals?
Greater than 100mg a day
What is the daily requirement for trace minerals?
Less than 100mg a day
Define ions in the context of minerals.
Electrically charged atoms resulting from a chemical reaction.
What are anions and cations?
- Anions - negatively charged
- Cations - positively charged
What happens when mineral salts dissolve in water?
They break into separate ions, forming electrolytes.
What are the main functions of Calcium (Ca2+)?
- Development of bones and teeth
- Transmission of nerve impulses
- Blood clotting
- Normal heart action
- Normal muscle activity
What deficiency conditions are associated with Calcium (Ca2+)?
- Osteoporosis
- Osteomalacia
- Rickets
- Tetany
- Retarded growth
- Poor tooth and bone formation
What is osteoporosis?
Characterized by low bone density or mass and fragile bones.
What is rickets?
Softening of bones in children potentially leading to fractures and deformity.
What are the main functions of Phosphorus (P)?
- Development of bones and teeth
- Maintains normal pH of the blood
- Constituent of all body cells
- CHO, CHON, and fat metabolism
What deficiency conditions are associated with Phosphorus (P)?
- Poor tooth and bone formation
- Weakness
- Anorexia
- General malaise
What are the main functions of Potassium (K+)?
- Contraction of muscles
- Maintenance of fluid balance
- Transmission of nerve impulses
- Regular heart rhythm
- Cell metabolism
What deficiency and toxicity conditions are associated with Potassium (K+)?
- Deficiency: hypokalemia, muscle weakness, confusion, abnormal heartbeat
- Toxicity: hyperkalemia, potentially life-threatening irregular heartbeats
What are the main functions of Sodium (Na+)?
- Maintenance of fluid balance
- Transmission of nerve impulses
- Acid-base balance
- Muscle contraction
What deficiency and toxicity conditions are associated with Sodium (Na+)?
- Deficiency: nausea, exhaustion, muscle cramps
- Toxicity: hypertension, edema
What are the main functions of Magnesium (Mg2+)?
- Nerve transmission
- Synthesis of ATP
- Activation of metabolic enzymes
- Muscle activity
- Constituent of bones, muscles, and RBCs
What deficiency conditions are associated with Magnesium (Mg2+)?
Normally unknown; can lead to mental, emotional, and muscle disorders.
What are the main functions of Iron (Fe+)?
- Transports oxygen and CO2
- Hemoglobin formation
- Component of cellular enzymes essential for energy production
What deficiency conditions are associated with Iron (Fe+)?
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Symptoms: weakness/fatigue, dizziness, loss of weight, pallor, coldness of hands and feet
What is the primary function of Iodine (I-)?
Regulation of basal metabolic rate.
What deficiency conditions are associated with Iodine (I-)?
- Goiter
- Cretinism
- Myxedema
What are the main functions of Zinc (Zn+)?
- Formation of collagen
- Wound healing
- Taste acuity
- Essential for growth and immune reactions
What deficiency conditions are associated with Zinc (Zn+)?
- Dwarfism (achondroplasia)
- Anemia
- Loss of appetite
- Skin changes
- Impaired wound healing
- Decreased taste acuity
What are the main functions of Fluoride (F-)?
- Increases resistance to tooth decay
- Component of bones and teeth
What deficiency and toxicity conditions are associated with Fluoride (F-)?
- Deficiency: tooth decay, possibly osteoporosis
- Toxicity: fluorosis, discoloration of teeth or mottling
