Vitamins Flashcards
Where can biotin be found?
Liver, yeast, peanuts, milk, chocolate, fish, synthesized by intestinal bacteria
What form of retinol serves as a neuronal signal to the brain?
trans-retinol
True/False. Deficiency of Vitamin B5 is very rare.
True. Only a small amount is necessary per day, making deficiency very rare.
Vitamin B12 serves as the only cofactor for what enzyme?
methylmalonyl CoA mutase - needed to produce TCA intermediates
What are the fat-soluble vitamins?
Vitamins A, D, E, K
What may result from Vitamin K deficiency?
Extended blood clotting or bleeding
In newborns - intracranial hemorrhage, neurological problems
What is the most potent form of Vitamin E?
alpha Tocopherol
What disease is associated with Vitamin B1 deficiency?
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (Beriberi)
This vitamin serves as a hormone to promote growth and differentiation. When deficient, growth may be poor.
Vitamin A
Where can Vitamin A be found in the diet?
Liver, green and leafy vegetables, colored vegetables (pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots)
What is another name for Vitamin D?
Cholecalciferol
What are the water-soluble vitamins?
B Vitamins, Vitamin C
Where can vitamin E be obtained in the diet?
Vegetable oils, oily seeds, tomatoes, spinach, nuts
What are the active forms of Vitamin B2 in the body?
FMN & FAD
Folate is important for what biological processes?
Formation of nucleotides and purines
What are the active products of Vitamin B3?
NAD+ & NADP+
What may result from Vitamin B6 overdose?
Peripheral sensory neuropathy
What are the functions of PLP?
Amino acid metabolism, glycogenolysis, heme synthesis
Diarrhea, dermatitis (usually on the back of neck), and dementia are symptoms of what disease?
Pellagra - Vitamin B3 deficiency
Describe the role of Vitamin A in vision.
Rhodopsin binds a GPCR. When stimulated with light, cis-retinal is converted to trans-retinal. The GPCR activates a phosphodiesterase that hydrolyzes cGMP to 5’GMP. The Na channel closes and the cell hyperpolarizes.
Describe the process of nucleotide and purine synthesis from folate.
Folate is reduced to THF. Using Vitamin B6, THF is converted to 5,10-methyleneTHF, which can then be used to synthesize nucleotides and purines. Vitamin B12 allows for recycling of 5,10-metheleneTHF back to THF.
How are water-soluble vitamins absorbed?
Directly from the GI tract
Vitamin C is necessary for the production of what molecules?
Collagen, neurotransmitters, carnitine
Production of reactive nitrogen species is prevented by what antioxidant?
Vitamin C
How is Vitamin B12 carried in the blood?
As the B12-transcobalamin II complex
How do humans obtain Vitamin B3?
Liver, yeast, meats, legumes, fortified cereals
This Vitamin is sensitive to visible light and is degraded upon exposure.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
How does Vitamin D increase calcium absorption in the body?
Vitamin D acts as a hormone to bind a vitamin D receptor. It is translocated to the nucleus to regulate gene expression.
Where is B12 absorbed?
Ileium
Vitamin K plays an important role in coaglulation. What other function does Vitamin K serve?
Carboxylation of bone proteins to better hold Ca2+ and prevent osteoporosis.
What is the function of Vitamin K in coagulation?
Vitamin K is a cofactor for the gamma-glutamyl carboxylase which carboxylates prothrombin to be secreted in the blood as a coagulator. Carboxylated prothrombin enhances Ca2+ binding and coagulation.
Elevated levels of this molecule indicate low levels of Vitamins B6, B12, or THF.
Homocysteine
Where can Vitamin B6 be obtained?
Liver, fish, whole grains, nuts, legumes, eggs, yeast
Thiamin is the name of which vitamin?
Vitamin B1
Folate is the name given to what vitamin?
Vitamin B9
What is required for Vitamin B12 absorption?
Intrinsic factor from parietal cells in the stomach