Minersls

Question 1

Minerals are

Answer 1

Chemical substances that are naturally found in a wide range of plant and animal foods.
They are micronutrients which means they are needed every day in small amounts.
Some can be stored in the body
Some are major ( needed in larger amounts) and some are called trace minerals.

Question 2

Different minerals

Answer 2

Calcium
Potassium
Sodium
Iodine
Iron
Phosphorus
Zinc

Question 3

Calcium

Answer 3

Function - make teeth and bones strong. Helps blood clot over a wound. Vitamin D needed to enable the calcium to be absorbed from food.
Sources - milk cheese yogurt
Deficiency - bones and teeth weaken and bend under body weight= rickets in children / osteomalacia in adults.
Blood won’t clot properly
Muscles and nerves won’t work properly

Question 4

Potassium

Answer 4

Sources - almost all unprocessed food
Functions - function of all cells. Nerve cell function. Regulation of heart beat rhythm
Deficiency - weakness and fatigue. Muscle cramps and aches, tingling and numbness, breathing problems

Question 5

Sodium

Answer 5

Sources - salted foods, bacon, ham
Function - na+ ions are main electrolyte in extracellular fluid
Controls pressure and volume of fluids in body, makes nerves and muscles work properly.
Deficiency - muscle cramps
Excess - high blood pressure,cardiovascular disease

Question 6

Iodine

Answer 6

Sources - seafood, vegetables, dairy
Functions - thyroxine in thyroid gland to control metabolic rate
Deficiency - sleeping in neck ( goitre)

Question 7

Iron

Answer 7

Sources - animals, wholemeal bread, green leafy veg, lentils
Functions - make haemoglobin, involved in function of enzymes.
Deficiency - anaemia, weakness, weak and split nails

Question 8

Phosphorus

Answer 8

Sources - present in all plant and animal cells
Functions - strong bones and teeth , component of hydroxyapatite, found in ATP, DNA and RNA, energy release.
Deficiency / excess -rare, potential for excess if infants are fed unmodified cow milk.