Vitamins Flashcards

1
Q

What is a vitamin and in what amounts are they needed?

A

Vitamins are essential organic substances needed in minute amounts to activate highly specific metabolic functions in the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Why are vitamins accessory nutrients?

A

Because they themselves supply no energy and form no structures but their deficiencies can be dangerous as well as toxic if some are in excess

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are vitamins that must be consumed called?

A

Preformed vitamins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are vitamins that may be synthesised by the body using precursors called?

A

Pro-vitamins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Vitamins can be classified, what are the two sub divisions?

A

Water soluble vitamins and lipid soluble vitamins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How would you describe water soluble vitamins?

A

They are not stored in any tissues and excess is removed in urine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Examples of some water soluble vitamins would include?

A

b1, b2, b3, b5, b6, b9, b12, vitamin c, biotin (vit h)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Where are lipid soluble vitamins stored and can they be removed?

A

They are stored in the liver and adipose. The body has no way of removing them until they are used.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Give some examples of some lipid soluble vitamins

A

Vitamins a, d, e and k

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Of the vitamins that are ingested, where do the majority originate from?

A

From plant sources (except b12) as byproducts of photosynthesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Give two examples of pro vitamins and from what they are synthesised

A

carotene –> vitamin a ultraviolet light –> vitamin d

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are most vitamins converted into, for use inside the body? What is one of their main roles?

A

Most vitamins are converted into coenzymes - b12

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Some vitamins such as vitamin d and some metabolites of vitamin a have a different role other than coenzymes, what can they do?

A

They act more like hormones, binding to receptors and controlling gene expression and metabolism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Some vitamins such as vit c and vit e act as ______, not as coenzymes or the control of gene expression and metabolism

A

antioxidants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the role of antioxidants

A

Preventing or delaying some types of cell damage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is a coenzyme?

A

A coenzyme is a non protein compound that is necessary for the functioning of an enzyme

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Some coenzymes allow the substrate to react more readily, give some vitamin derivatives that allow this

A

CoA, pyridoxal phosphate, thiamin diphosphate and vitamin b12

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

There are some oxidative coenzymes, what are these

A

NAD+, NADP+, FAD, lipoic acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the function of oxidative coenzymes?

A

To carry hydrogen atoms or electrons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the protein part of the enzyme called?

A

The apoenzyme

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

When the protein part of the enzyme is in combination with the coenzyme the catalytically competent enzyme is known as what?

A

As the holoenzyme

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Apoenzyme + coenzyme =

A

holoenzyme

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Vitamin b1 is

A

thiamine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

vitamin b2 is

A

riboflavin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

vitamin b3 is

A

niacin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

vitamin b5 is

A

pantothenic acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

vitamin b6 is

A

pyridoxine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

vitamin b9 is

A

folic acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

vitamin b12 is

A

cobalamin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

vitamin c is

A

ascorbic acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

vitamin a is

A

retinol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

vitamin d is

A

calcitrol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

vitamin e is

A

tocopherols

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Where is thiamine/vitamin b1 derived from?

A

From a substituted pyrimidine and thiazole

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Is thiamine water soluble or lipid soluble?

A

It is water soluble

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

How can one obtain vitamin b1/thiamine?

A

Through their diet from most grains

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Where is a deficiency of b1 prevalent?

A

In South east Asia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What is the active form of thiamine?

A

Thiamin pyrophosphate - TPP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Where is thiamine converted to its active form of thiamin pyrophosphate?

A

In the brain and liver

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What enzyme converts thiamin/vit b1 to thiamin pyrophosphate?

A

The enzyme thiamin diphosphotransferase

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Why is thiamin pyrophosphate necessary in the body?

A

It is a key coenzyme for the pyruvate and a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase catalysed reactions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

What is the function of pyruvate dehydrogenase?

A

Part of a multi enzyme complex that acts to convert pyruvate generated in glycolysis into acetyl coA for entry into the krebs cycle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

What is the function of a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase?

A

regulation in the krebs cycle. Involved in the conversion of ketoglutarate to syccinyl coA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

Thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) is a necessary coenzyme for pyruvate dehydrogenase and a-ketoglutarate, what does TPP assist in in both cases?

A

Assists in the decarboxylation of a small ketoacid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

In addition to its uses in metabolism, list three other uses of thiamine/ vitamin b1.

A
  1. Enhance circulation and blood formation 2. Maintenance of nervous system - biosynthesis of acetylcholin and GABA 3. Production of HCl in stomach - digestive role
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

What is a deficiency of b1 called?

A

Beriberi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

Alchohol-related thiamin deficiency is caused by an

A

inadequate intake of thiamine as well as impaired absorption and storage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

What are the early symptoms of beriberi

A

they are non specific and include fatigue, loss of appetite, irritability, abdominal discomfort

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

As the disease of beriberi progresses, what do patients tend to develop?

A

Burning sensations, tingling in the extremities, changes in sensation - numbness, may develop psychosis. Heart failure,

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

Is vitamin b2/riboflavin water soluble or lipid soluble?

A

Water soluble

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

What is vitamin b2/riboflavin synthesised by?

A

Microorganisms and plants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

What types of food provide vitamin b2?

A

Milk, liver, cheese, green vegetables, almonds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

What destroys vitamin b2?

A

Exposure to light

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

What is the active form of riboflavin?

A

Riboflavin is the precursor for the coenzymes flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). So it is active as a coenzyme

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

The enzymes that require FMN and FAD as coenzymes are called?

A

Flavoproteins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

Several flavoproteins also contain metal ions, what are these termed?

A

Metalloflavoproteins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

Both FMN and FAD are involved in a wide range of

A

redox reactions and help the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino and fatty acids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

Symptoms associated with a deficiency of vitamin b2/riboflavin include

A

sore throat, dermatitis, anemia, neuropathy and cataract formation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

Where is b2/riboflavin deficiency observed?

A

In malnutrition or chronic alcoholism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

The conversion of riboflavin to flavin mononucleotide is required for absorption and transport into many tissues. This conversion is inhibited by…

A

hypothyroidism and the structurally similar medications such as tetracycline and tricyclic antidepressants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

What is hypothyroidism?

A

Thyroid produced less thyroid hormone than it should which causes the metabolism to run too slow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

Is niacin water or lipid soluble

A

Water soluble

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

B3/ niacin can be synthesised by the body, how?

A

It can be synthesised in the liver from the essential amino acid tryptophan but the synthesis is inefficient

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

The synthesis of niacin within the human body is inefficient, so what types of food can you obtain vitamin b3/niacin from?

A

Proteins, meat, fish, milk, eggs, peanuts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

What is the active form of b3/niacin?

A

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide NAD+ and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate NADP+

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

What is the function of the active forms of b3/niacin (NAD+, NADP+)?

A

Both function as cofactors for numerous dehydrogenases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

What is the role of the derivatives of NAD+/NADP+ that come from coenzymes from b3/niacin?

A

Energy metabolism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

List two other functions of niacin in the body

A

Removing toxic chemicals from the body and assisting in the production of steroid hormones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

What is the deficiency disease associated with a b3 deficiency?

A

Pellagra

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

What two ways could cause an individual to develop b3 deficiency?

A

Failure of the body to absorb niacin or trptophan

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

What are the symptoms of pellagra?

A

dermatitis, blackening of the tongue, scaly skin sores

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

Where were early cases of pellagra observed?

A

Europe shortly after the introduction of corn

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

Why did the consumption of corn cause niacin deficiencies?

A

The niacin in corn is not bioavailable unless treated with a strong base

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

Is vitamin b5/ pantothenic acid water soluble or lipid soluble?

A

It is water soluble

75
Q

What is pantothenic acid formed from?

A

B-alanine and pantoic acid

76
Q

Which foods can pantothenic acid / vit b5 be found in?

A

Whole grain cereals, legumes, meat, eggs

77
Q

What is the active form of pantothenic acid?

A

Pantothenate is required for the synthesis of coenzyme a, co-a which is needed for acetyl coA

78
Q

What is the function of acetyl coa?

A

Delivers the carbon atoms to the krebs cycle to be oxidised for energy

79
Q

What does pantothenic acid/vit b5 enhance within the body?

A

Healthy skin and muscles, fights allergies, metabolism

80
Q

Symptoms of a deficiency in b5 include…

A

Headaches, depression, tingling, frequent infections.

81
Q

What types of people would benefit from b5 / pantothenic acid?

A

People who are overstressed or those who are predisposed to allergies.

82
Q

Is vitamin b6/pyridoxine water soluble or lipid soluble?

A

Water soluble

83
Q

What is the origin of pyridoxine?

A

Nitrogen fixing bacteria

84
Q

What is the active form of pyridoxine/ vit b6?

A

Pyridoxal phosphate

85
Q

What enzyme converts pyridoxine to pyridoxal phosphate?

A

The atp requiring enzyme pyridoxal kinase

86
Q

What is the function of pyridoxal phosphate?

A

Functions as a coenzyme in enzymes involved in transamination reactions - required for synthesis and catabolism of amino acids

87
Q

What does a deficiency in b6/pyridoxine cause?

A

Skin disorders, poor coordination, insomnia,

88
Q

*Describe the structure of b9/folic acid.

A

A conjugated molecule consisting of a pteridine ring structure linked to para-aminobenzoic acid that forms pteroic acid. Folic acid itself is then generated through the conjugation of glutamic acid residues to pteroic acid

89
Q

What types of food is folic acid/b9 obtained from?

A

From leafy vegetables, yeast, animal liver

90
Q

What is the primary form of folic acid/ b9

A

Folic acid is reduced within cells to tetrahydrofolate THF

91
Q

Which enzyme reduces folic acid / b9 to tetrahydrofolate - the active form of folic acid?

A

Dihydrofolate reductase

92
Q

What is the function of tetrahydrofolate?

A

To carry and transfer various forms of one carbon units during biosynthetic reactions

93
Q

*In biosynthetic reactions, what is the one carbon unit that tetrahydrofolate helps to transfer?

A

Methyl, methylene, methenyl, formyl or formimino groups

94
Q

What are carbon transfer reactions required in? Biosynthesis of what?

A

The biosynthesis of serine, methonine, glycine, choline and purine nucleotides

95
Q

What is the most pronounced effect of a folate deficiency?

A

On DNA synthesis

96
Q

What happens when a folate deficiency results in the inability to synthesis DNA during erythrocyte maturation?

A

Abnormally large erythrocytes - the disease is termed macrocytic anemia

97
Q

Why do pregnant women need more folate?

A

Because there is an increased number of rapidly proliferating cells present in the blood

98
Q

Describe the structure of vitamin b12 or cobalamin

A

Composed of a tetrapyrrol ring and a co ordinated cobalt ion

99
Q

What organisms synthesis b12/cobalamin

A

Microorganisms.

100
Q

B12 is found in the liver of animals bound to a protein known as

A

methycobalamin

101
Q

Where does hydrolysis of methycobalamin occur

A

in the stomach by gastric acids or the intestines

102
Q

Following absorption of vitamin b12, it is transported to the liver in the blood bound to what?

A

To transcobalamin II

103
Q

What does vitamin b12 help in the production of?

A

Red blood cells

104
Q

Explain how the catabolism of some fatty acids and amino acids requires vitamin b12 as a coenzyme

A

The enzyme in this pathway, methylmalonyl coa mutase requires vitamin b12 as a cofactor in the conversion of methylmalonyl coa to succinyl coa

105
Q

Describe a second reaction which requires vitamin b12 as a coenzyme

A

Vitamin b12 catalyses the conversion of homocysteine to methionine and is catalysed by methionine synthase

106
Q

Why are vegetarians at a high risk of developing vitamin b12 deficiencies

A

Because plants do not produce b12

107
Q

A lack of vitamin b12 can lead to…

A

anemia

108
Q

How is vitamin c derived?

A

from glucose via the uronic acid pathway

109
Q

Why is ascorbic acid required in the diet?

A

Because the enzyme l-gulonolactone oxidase responsible for the conversion of gluconolactone to ascorbic acid is absent in primates

110
Q

What is the active form of vitamin c?

A

Ascorbate acid

111
Q

What is the main function of ascorbate acid?

A

A reducing agent in a number of different reactions

112
Q

Vitamin c has the potential to _____ cytochromes a and c of the respiratiory chain as well as ___________ _____

A

reduce, molecular oxygen

113
Q

What is the most important reaction requiring ascorbate as a cofactor?

A

The hydroxylation of proline residues in collagen

114
Q

Because vitamin c serves as a coenzyme in the hydroxylation of proline residues in collagen, it is required for the maintenance of

A

normal connective tissue

115
Q

Ascorbic acid is required for the reduction of iron 3 to iron 2 in the

A

gut, allowing iron to be absorbed into the bloodstream

116
Q

Ascorbic acid is required for the catabolism of which amino acid?

A

tyrosine

117
Q

Ascorbic acid is required for the synthesis of what?

A
  1. synthesis of epinephrine from tyrosine 2. synthesis of bile acids
118
Q

why is ascorbic acid required in the involvement in the process of steroidogenesis

A

The adrenal cortex contains high levels of vit c which are depleted upon adrenocorticotrophic hormone (acth) stimulation of the gland

119
Q

What is a deficiency of vitamin c called?

A

scurvy

120
Q

What is scurvy characterised by?

A

easily bruised skin, muscle fatigue, swollen gums

121
Q

What is the cause of a deficiency?

A

a poor diet/ increased requirement

122
Q

What is the primary physiological state leading to an increased requirement for vitamin c?

A

severe stress - this is due to a rapid depletion in the adrenal stores of the vitamin

123
Q

When was scurvy common?

A

Among sailors in the days when only non perishable foods could be stocked aboard ships

124
Q

What three biologically active molecules does vitamin a consist of?

A

Retinol, retinal and retinoic acid

125
Q

What plant precursor molecule is vitamin a derived from?

A

b-carotene

126
Q

What does b-carotene consist of

A

two molecules of retinal linked at their aldehyde ends

127
Q

What is b-carotene referred to as

A

the provitamin form of vit a

128
Q

Ingested b carotene is cleaved in the lumen of the small intestine by what enzyme to yield what produce

A

b-carotene dioxygenase to yield retinal

129
Q

How is retinal reduced to retinal?

A

by retinaldehyde reductase within the intestines

130
Q

Retinol can then be esterified to palmitic acid and delivered to the

A

blood

131
Q

Where is palmictic acid stored

A

stored in the liver as a liver ester with lipocytes

132
Q

The transport of retinol from the liver to extrahepatic tissues occurs how

A

by binding of retinol to aproretinol binding protein

133
Q

Where is the retinol-rbp complex transported to?

A

to the cell surface within the golgi complex and secreted

134
Q

How is plasma transport of retinoic acid accomplished

A

by binding to albumin

135
Q

The photoreceptor of most mammalian visual cells if a protein called

A

rhodopsin or visual purple

136
Q

What is rhodopsin a complex made of

A

scotopsin and the 11-cis-retinal form of vitamin a

137
Q

where is rhodopsin embedded

A

rhodopsin is a receptor embedded in the membrane of the rod cell

138
Q

when rhodopsin is exposed to light what happens?

A

it is bleached, releasing the 11-cis-retinal

139
Q

How is retional necessary for mucous production

A

it functions in the synthesis of certain glycoproteins and mucopolysaccharides

140
Q

where is vitamin a stored?

A

in the liver

141
Q

What are the symptoms of a vitamin a deficiency?

A

night blindness

142
Q

How does deterioration of the eye tissue due to a lack of vitamin a occur?

A

progressive keratinization of the cornea, a condition called xerophthalmia

143
Q

There is an increased risk of cancer when vitamin a is low, why?

A

Because vitamin a is thought to be a very effective antioxidant

144
Q

Excess accumulation of vitamin a in the liver can lead to

A

toxicity

145
Q

Vitamin d is what type of hormone

A

a steroid hormone

146
Q

what is the function of vitamin d

A

to regulate specific gene expression following interaction with its intracellular receptor

147
Q

what is the biologically active form of the hormone

A

vitamin d3 calcitriol

148
Q

what is the function of the biologically active hormone of vitamin d calcitriol?

A

functions primarily to regulate calcium and phosphorous homeostasis

149
Q

Where is active calcitriol derived from in plants?

A

from ergosterol which is produced in plants

150
Q

Where is active calcitriol derived from in humans?

A

from 7-dehydrocholestrol which is produced in the skin

151
Q

Ergocalciferol (vitamin d2) is formed by

A

uv irridation of ergosterol

152
Q

In the skin 7-dehydrocholestrol is converted to vitamin d3 following what?

A

irradiation

153
Q

Viamin e is a mixture of several related compounds known as

A

tocopherols

154
Q

what is the most potent molecule out of the tocopherols

A

the a-tocopherol

155
Q

vitamin e is absorbed from where

A

the intestines

156
Q

where is vitamin e delivered to once absorbed from the intestines

A

to the liver

157
Q

vitamin e has a lipophilic nature which means it accumulates where?

A

in cellular membranes, fat deposits and other circulating lipoproteins

158
Q

Where is the major site of vitamin e storage?

A

in the adipose tissue

159
Q

what is the function of vitamin e as a natural antioxidant

A

scavenging free radicals and molecular oxygen

160
Q

what is the major symptom of a vtiamin e deficiency in humans in relation to red blood cells?

A

it leads to an increase in red blood cell fragility

161
Q

What is the dietary requirement of pathothenic acid

A

10-15mg/day

162
Q

What is the dietary requirement of biotin

A

0.15-0.3mg/day

163
Q

What is the dietary requirement of thiamin

A

0.23mg or more per 1000kcal of food, min 0.8mg/day

164
Q

What is the dietary requirement of vitamin b6

A

1.5-2mg/day

165
Q

What is the dietary requirement of nicotinamide

A

7.5mg/day

166
Q

What is the dietary requirement of riboflavin

A

0.2-0.4mg/day

167
Q

What is the dietary requirement of vitamin b12

A

2 µg/day

168
Q

What is the dietary requirement for vitamin c

A

50-200mg/day

169
Q

What vitamin is this

A

Vitamin b1

170
Q

What vitamin is this

A

vit b2

171
Q

what is this

A

active form of b2 fmn flavin mononucleotide

172
Q

What is this

A

active form of vit b2 - flavin adenine dinucleotide

173
Q

what is this

A

niacin

174
Q

what is this

A

pantothenic acid

175
Q

what is this

A

acetyl coa

176
Q

what is this

A

pyridoxine

177
Q

what is this

A

pyridoxal phosphate

178
Q

what is this

A

b9/folic acid

179
Q

what is this

A

cobalamin

180
Q

what is this

A

arcorbic acid

181
Q

what is this

A

vit a

182
Q

what is this

A

vitamin d

183
Q

what vit is this

A

e