Vitamin and Metabolic Pathways Flashcards
What is the absorption method for water-soluble vitamins?
Directly into bloodstream
What is the absorption method for fat-soluble vitamins?
With dietary fats, lymphatic system
How are water-soluble vitamins transported in the body?
Freely in bloodstream
How are fat-soluble vitamins transported in the body?
Bound to proteins/lipoproteins
What is the storage capability of water-soluble vitamins?
Minimal (except B12, B6); circulate freely in water-filled parts of the body
What is the storage capability of fat-soluble vitamins?
Extensive storage (liver/adipose tissue)
How are water-soluble vitamins excreted from the body?
Kidneys (urine)
How are fat-soluble vitamins excreted from the body?
Rarely excreted, except vitamin K
What is the toxicity level of water-soluble vitamins?
Generally low, excess excreted
What is the toxicity level of fat-soluble vitamins?
Possible from supplements
What is the intake requirement for water-soluble vitamins?
Frequent intake (daily/few days)
What is the intake requirement for fat-soluble vitamins?
Periodic intake (weeks/months)
What is the full name of Thiamin?
Vitamin B1
What are some food sources of Thiamin?
- Meats - Pork chops
- Lentils and beans
- Soy milk
What is a major function of Thiamin?
Key to energy metabolism
What is the role of TPP in energy metabolism?
Catalyst for decarboxylation of pyruvate
What does Thiamin help form for the Citric Acid Cycle?
Acetyl CoA
What is the main function of Riboflavin?
Helps convert food (carbs) to fuel (glucose)
What are some food sources of Riboflavin?
- Proteins
- Vegetables – mushrooms, spinach
- Fortified grains, breads, cereals
What are the two coenzymes that Niacin forms?
- NAD+
- NADP
What is the full name of Niacin?
Vitamin B3
What are some food sources of Niacin?
- Whole grain
- Beef liver
What is a major function of Pantothenic acid?
Synthesis of Coenzyme A
What are some food sources of Pantothenic acid?
- Beef liver
- Breakfast cereals
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Sunflower seeds
What is the full name of Vitamin B6?
Pyridoxal, Pyridoxine, Pyridoxamine
What are some food sources of Vitamin B6?
- Poultry
- Fish (salmon)
- Beef
- Organ meats
- Spinach
- Nuts
- Fortified cereals
What does Biotin improve?
Hair, nail, and skin health
What is the main function of Folate?
DNA synthesis
What are some food sources of Folate?
- Leafy greens
- Beef liver
- Legumes
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Orange juice
- Enriched grains and fortified cereal
What is the difference between Folate and Folic Acid?
Folate requires specific intestinal enzymes for digestion and is less bioavailable
What is the main function of Vitamin B12?
Necessary for red blood cell formation and neurological function
What is required for the absorption of Vitamin B12?
- Intrinsic factor
- Stomach acid
- Calcium
- Folate
What can interfere with Vitamin B12 absorption?
Lack of intrinsic factor, low stomach acid, Metformin
What is folate also known as?
Vitamin B9
Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and metabolism.
What can interfere with folate absorption?
- Lack of intrinsic factor
- Low stomach acid
- Metformin (used to treat type 2 diabetes)
These factors can hinder the body’s ability to absorb folate effectively.
How is vitamin B12 absorbed in the stomach?
Vitamin B12 is bound to protein in food and is freed by hydrochloric acid and gastric enzymes
This process is essential for its subsequent absorption in the small intestine.
What complex is formed in the small intestine for B12 absorption?
B-12 binds to intrinsic factor to form the IF/B-12 complex
Intrinsic factor is produced by parietal cells in the stomach.
Where does the B-12 Intrinsic Factor complex attach for absorption?
The ileum
Special receptors on the intestinal lining facilitate this process.
What is one of the main roles of vitamin B12 in the body?
DNA synthesis and homocysteine metabolism
B12 works closely with folate to ensure proper DNA synthesis.
What happens when there is a deficiency of vitamin B12?
Impaired DNA synthesis leading to megaloblastic anemia
This condition results in the production of large, dysfunctional red blood cells.
What does B12 do in homocysteine metabolism?
B12 acts as a coenzyme for methionine synthase, converting homocysteine to methionine
Folate provides the necessary methyl group for this reaction.
What are some functions of vitamin B12?
- Keeps red blood cells healthy
- Helps make DNA
- Prevents megaloblastic anemia
- Regulates homocysteine levels
- Maintains nervous system health
These functions are crucial for overall health.
What is another name for vitamin C?
Ascorbic acid
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient with various roles in the body.
Where can vitamin C be found?
- Peppers
- Citrus fruits
- Papaya
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Berries
These are rich sources of vitamin C.
What is the primary function of vitamin C?
Acts as an antioxidant and aids in collagen formation
It also plays a role in immune function and enhances iron absorption.
True or False: Vitamin C is stable in the presence of heat.
False
Vitamin C is unstable when exposed to heat, cooking, or boiling.
What is the full name of vitamin A?
Retinoid
Vitamin A is crucial for vision and maintaining healthy tissues.
In what forms is vitamin A found?
- Retinol
- Retinal
- Retinoic acid
- Beta-carotene
These forms play various roles in the body, especially in vision.
What role does vitamin A play in vision?
Helps maintain the cornea and converts light energy into nerve impulses
This process is crucial for seeing in low light conditions.
What is the full name of vitamin D?
Calciferol
Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and bone health.
What is the most biologically active form of vitamin D?
1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D (D3, calcitriol)
This form is crucial for various bodily functions.
Name some food sources of vitamin D.
- Salmon
- Eggs
- Milk
- Salami
- Tuna
These foods are rich in vitamin D.
What can inhibit vitamin D synthesis in the skin?
- Melanin pigment
- Low sunlight exposure
Darker skin requires more sunlight for adequate vitamin D production.
What are some benefits of vitamin D?
- Assists in calcium and phosphorus absorption
- Protects against cognitive decline
- Regulates adipose cells
These benefits are vital for overall health.
What is the full name of vitamin E?
Alpha tocopherol
Vitamin E is known for its antioxidant properties.
What are some food sources of vitamin E?
- Peanut butter
- Nuts
- Oils
- Asparagus
- Avocado
These foods are significant sources of vitamin E.
What is a major role of vitamin E in the body?
Acts as an antioxidant to protect cell membranes
It prevents lipid peroxidation and reduces oxidative stress.
What can excessive amounts of vitamin E lead to?
Interference with blood clotting and increased risk of hemorrhage
This highlights the importance of moderation in vitamin E intake.
What is the full name of vitamin K?
Quinone family
Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and bone health.
What are the main dietary forms of vitamin K?
- Phylloquinone (K1)
- Menaquinones (K2)
K1 is primarily found in plants, while K2 is found in animal products.
What is one function of vitamin K?
Helps with blood clotting
It is crucial for synthesizing clotting factors in the body.
What is choline important for?
- Neurotransmitter and phospholipid synthesis
- Emulsifier
- Methionine metabolism
Choline is vital for various metabolic processes.
What is carnitine’s role in the body?
Transports long-chain free fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy metabolism
Vitamin C is required for its synthesis.
What deficiency is associated with thiamin?
Beriberi
This deficiency can cause neurological and cardiac issues.
What are olipids that are precursors to eicosanoids?
They serve a regulatory role in cells.
What is taurine?
A component of bile.
What is lipoic acid?
A component of metabolic reactions that remove CO2 from compounds, and is an antioxidant.
Identify the deficiency of thiamin.
Beriberi, which includes neurological and cardiac issues.
What is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
A degenerative brain disorder due to thiamine deficiency.
List symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
- Abnormal eye movement
- Staggering gait
- Distorted thought process
What is ariboflavinosis?
A deficiency of riboflavin characterized by sore throat, skin inflammation, and mouth sores.
What is pellagra?
A deficiency of niacin leading to dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death.
List broader symptoms of niacin deficiency.
- Pigmented rash
- Discolored skin
- Bright red tongue
- Depression
- Apathy
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Memory loss
What increases the risk of niacin deficiency?
- Alcohol abuse
- Eating disorders
What are symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency?
- Microcytic anemia
- Dermatitis
- Neurological disturbances
What are the symptoms of biotin deficiency?
- Hair loss
- Skin rash
- Neurological symptoms (rare)
What are the consequences of folate deficiency during pregnancy?
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Neural tube defects
What is spina bifida?
A condition where the spine forms improperly and bones fail to enclose the spinal cord.
What is anencephaly?
A condition where portions of the brain are malformed or missing, leading to death shortly after birth.
What characterizes megaloblastic anemia?
Abnormally large red blood cells (megaloblasts) due to folate deficiency.
What is pernicious anemia?
A type of ‘destructive anemia’ seen in stomach issues due to vitamin B12 deficiency.
What is scurvy?
A deficiency of vitamin C characterized by fatigue, weakness, irritability, and poor wound healing.
What are symptoms of vitamin A deficiency?
- Night blindness
- Xerophthalmia
- Keratinization
- Increased susceptibility to infectious diseases
What can cause vitamin A toxicity?
- Birth defects
- Liver damage
- Hair loss
- Reduced bone density
What is the role of calbindin?
A protein that binds calcium in intestinal cells.
How is vitamin D synthesized from UVB light?
UVB radiation converts skin cholesterol into previtamin D3, which is transformed into active vitamin D in the liver and kidneys.
What is anaerobic glycolysis?
A metabolic process converting glucose to pyruvate in the absence of oxygen.
What is the main outcome of aerobic glycolysis?
Complete oxidation of glucose to carbon dioxide and water, producing approximately 36-38 ATP.
What is the Cori cycle?
A metabolic pathway between muscles and the liver during anaerobic conditions.
What is beta oxidation?
A catabolic process by which fatty acids are broken down in mitochondria.
What is the purpose of amino acid metabolism?
To break down amino acids for energy production.
What is the ketogenic pathway?
A metabolic pathway producing ketone bodies from excess acetyl-CoA in the liver mitochondria.
What is the primary pathway for moderate alcohol consumption?
Alcohol dehydrogenase pathway.
What is the outcome of the citric acid cycle?
To oxidize acetyl-CoA and produce high-energy molecules (NADH, FADH2) and carbon dioxide.
What are the end results of the Krebs cycle?
3 NADH, 1 FADH2, 1 ATP, 2 CO2
The Krebs cycle is also known as the citric acid cycle or TCA cycle.
Where does the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) occur?
Inner mitochondrial membrane
The ETC is a series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons.
What is the purpose of the Electron Transport Chain?
Use electrons from NADH and FADH2 to generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation
This process also produces water and regenerates NAD+ and FAD.
Fill in the blank: NADH and FADH2 donate electrons to complexes ______ and ______.
I, II
What is the final electron acceptor in the Electron Transport Chain?
O2
What causes Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD)?
Chronic alcohol consumption
This disrupts liver metabolism, leading to fat accumulation.
What mechanism leads to fat accumulation in Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Ethanol metabolism produces large amounts of NADH
Excess NADH inhibits fatty acid oxidation and promotes fatty acid synthesis.
What is a consequence of excess NADH in the liver?
Inhibits fatty acid oxidation and promotes fatty acid synthesis
This can lead to triglyceride accumulation in hepatocytes.
What is the cause of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver not caused by alcohol consumption
What metabolic condition is associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
Insulin resistance
Insulin-resistant cells do not effectively take up glucose and fatty acids.
What is the goal of the fed state (0-4 hours after eating)?
Store excess nutrients and maintain normal blood glucose
Which hormone is dominant in the fed state?
Insulin
What metabolic changes occur during the fed state?
- Glucose uptake (muscle, adipose)
- Glycogenesis (liver, muscle)
- Lipogenesis (fat storage)
- Protein synthesis
What inhibits gluconeogenesis during the fed state?
Insulin
What hormone increases during the feasting state?
Leptin
What happens during early starvation (24-48 hours)?
- Glycogen stores are depleted
- Glucose levels drop
- Gluconeogenesis kicks in
- Lipolysis occurs
- Ketone bodies begin forming
What is the main energy source during late starvation (days to weeks)?
Fat stores
Fill in the blank: The brain shifts to use ______ bodies to preserve muscle protein during starvation.
ketone
What slows down during late starvation to conserve lean tissue?
Proteolysis