vitamins

Question 1

do vitamins have energy value

Answer 1

vitamins do not have energy value

Question 2

why does the body need an appropriate amount of vitamins

Answer 2

the body needs to obtain an appropriate amount of vitamins from food to maintain normal function of cells + organs, promote growth and development, regulate metabolism, and strengthen immunity

Question 3

properties of fat soluble vitamins

Answer 3

vitamins ADEK can be dissolved in fats / absorbed w fats in the diet
excess fat soluble vitamins are stored in the liver

Question 4

properties of water soluble vitamins

Answer 4

vitamins BC can dissolve in water
excess water soluble vitamins are excreted thru urine

Question 5

what vitamins can be destroyed under strong light

Answer 5

vitamins AC + some B can be destroyed under strong light (store foods rich in these vitamins in dim light / fridge)

Question 6

what vitamins can be destroyed under heat

Answer 6

vitamin C + some B can be destroyed under heat (avoid soaking food in water / cooking for too long)

Question 7

properties of vitamin a

Answer 7

• helps in production of rhodopsin in the retina which is important for night vision / promotes growth and development / maintains healthy skin, mucous membrance and normal function of our immune system
• foods: dairy products / fish liver oil / food containing carotenoids (carrots, spinach, broccoli etc)
• deficiency disease: night blindness (poor vision in dim light) / epithelial tissue keratinisation / retarded growth
• overdose: dry skin / hair loss / liver damage

Question 8

properties of vitamin d

Answer 8

• promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus to maintain bone growth / maintains balace of calcium in blood
• foods: milk / fish liver oil / liver / oily fish (skin also produces vitamin D in sunlight)
• deficiency disease: rickets in children (soft and bent bones), osteomalacia in adults
• overdose: high calcium levels in blood + urine => increased risk of calcification of soft tissue

Question 9

properties of vitamin c

Answer 9

• helps with iron absorption to produce haemoglobin / maintaining healthy skin + gums / healing of wounds / help produce collagen and maintain the health of blood vessels, connective tissue and cartilage / acts as antioxidant / maintain normal function of immune system
• foods: citrus fruits / broccoli / guava / kiwi / tomatoes
• deficiency disease: scurvy (gums bleed + tooth loss + fatigue + bone pain)
• overdose: diarrhoea

Question 10

properties of vitamin e

Answer 10

acts as an antioxidant to protect cell membranes from oxidative damage / maintains normal function of immune system
• foods: plant oils / nuts / seeds / dark green vegetables
• deficiency disease: haemolytic anaemia in infants
• overdose: headache / dizziness / fatigue