Vitamins Flashcards
What are vitamins?
organic compounds with essential biochemical functions that are not made by the body
Name the water soluble vitamins
thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, biotin, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin C
Name the fat soluble vitamins
A, D, E and K
Why isnt vitamin K necessary in the diet?
because it is made by bacteria in the gut
Which vitamin is depleted most rapidly in starvation?
thiamin
What is beriberi?
a deficiency in thiamin due to diet - results in weakness, paralysis, anaemia and wasting and pitting oedema
What is the biological role of thiamin?
coenzyme in carboxylations, involved in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, involved in nerve function
What is wernicke-korsakoff syndrome?
alcoholism with an underlying thiamin deficiency - symptoms are nystagmus, wide step, confusion, hypothermia, amnesia and confabulation
What is the biological role of riboflavin?
electron carrier and involved in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism
What is a magenta coloured tongue a sign of?
riboflavin deficiency
What is the biological role of niacin?
coenzyme, electron carrier, involved in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism
What is the biological role of vitamin B6?
amino acid metabolism
What people have deficiencies in biotin?
people who eat a large amount of raw eggs
What are the symptoms of a biotin deficiency?
shiny dry and scaly hands
What are the symptoms of a folate deficiency?
macrocytic anaemia, glossitis, spina bifida
What is the biological role of vitamin B12?
folate metabolism, transalkylations
Who is at risk of vitamin B12 deficiencies?
vegans
What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiencies?
pale yellow skin, light coloured irises, grey hair, tingly skin
What is the biological role of vitamin C?
cofactor in collagen synthesis, neurotransmitter metabolism, iron absorption, antioxidant
What is a deficiency of vitamin C?
scurvy
What is vitamin A important for?
night vision and epithelium growth
What is vitamin D important for?
calcium regulation and bone development
What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?
rickets in the young and osteomalacia in adults
What is vitamin K important for?
blood clotting
