Vitamins

Question 1

List the four fat soluble vitamins

Answer 1

A, D, E, and K

Question 2

What is the biological role of thiamin?

Answer 2

coenzyme in decarboxylation from pyruvate to acetyl CoA
metabolism
nerve function

Question 3

Which food should we eat to get thiamin?

Answer 3

vegemite, wholemeal bread

Question 4

How quickly will we run out of thiamin? What happens if we run out?

Answer 4

2 weeks, and we will get neural deficiency (beriberi)

Question 5

What are the symptoms of Beriberi syndrome?

Answer 5

extreme weakness, paralysis, anemia, wasting

Question 6

What is wet beriberi?

Answer 6

low serum albumin resulting in oedema

Question 7

What is the biological role of riboflavin (B2)

Answer 7

electron carrier (FAD, FMN)
metabolism

Question 8

what are the sources of B2

Answer 8

vegemite, milk/cheese, fortified cereal

Question 9

What’s the more common cause of B2 deficiency?

Answer 9

chronic alcoholism

Symptoms are sore tongue and its magenta appearance

Question 10

What is the biological role of Niacin (B3)

Answer 10

coenzyme, electron carrier (NADH, NADPH)

metabolism

Question 11

What is the source of B3

Answer 11

vegemite, wheat bran

Question 12

What are the causes of B3 deficiency?

Answer 12

alcohol

Pellagra (corn-rich diet)

Question 13

What are the 4 symptoms of Pellagra?

Answer 13

dermatitis, diarrhoea, dementia, death

Question 14

What is the biological role of pyridoxine

Answer 14

amino acid metabolism

Question 15

What are the sources of B6?

Answer 15

vegemite, nuts, bananas, fortified cereal

Question 16

What is the biological role of biotin?

Answer 16

transfer CO2

metabolism

Question 17

What are the sources of biotin?

Answer 17

cooked egg yolk

soy beans

Question 18

Why do people get biotin deficiency when eating raw eggs

Answer 18

protein avidin binds strongly to biotin to antagonise its action, but avidin is killed with heat

Question 19

What is the biological role of folate

Answer 19

DNA synthesis

Question 20

What are the sources of folate

Answer 20

green vegetables

Question 21

What is the result of folate deficiency?

Answer 21

macrocytic anaemia, spina bifida, glossitis

Question 22

Vitamin B12 has a role in transalkylation. Which tissue requires this reaction?

Answer 22

blood and nerves

Question 23

What are the sources of B12

Answer 23

meat, egg yolks, cheese

Question 24

What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency?

Answer 24

neurological disorders and pernicious anaemia

Question 25

What is the biological role of Vitamin C

Answer 25

cofactor for collagen synthesis (hydroxylating prolines)
neurotransmitter metabolism
iron absorption
antioxidant

Question 26

How does scurvy cause death

Answer 26

in vitamin C deficiency, arteries lack collagen and can result in micro haemorrhages. Patients can die from internal haemorrhages

Question 27

What is vitamin A derived from?

Answer 27

beta-carotene

Question 28

T/F You get overdose of vitamin A by having too much carotene

Answer 28

False, body only cleaves to make enough vitamin A

Question 29

what’s vitamin D derived from?

Answer 29

cholesterol, and requires UV light for synthesis

Question 30

What is the function of vitamin D?

Answer 30

Ca regulation and bone growth

Question 31

What are the conditions due to vitamin D deficiency

Answer 31

kids - rickets

adults - osteomalacia

Question 32

how much calcium is excreted from the kidneys everyday?

Answer 32

1 gram

Question 33

What’s the function of vitamin E

Answer 33

antioxidant, linked to inflammation and cell division

Question 34

Which food has high level of vitamin E

Answer 34

seed oil

Question 35

What is the function of vitamin K

Answer 35

coagulation cascade, activate thrombin

Question 36

Where can we get vitamin K?

Answer 36

out gut flora usually makes enough