Vitamins Flashcards
put simply, why are vitamins important ?
vitamins are important because they act as co-enzymes and co-factors in biological reactions
state what it is meant by the key term - co-factors
a non-protein chemical compound or metallic ion that its required for an enzymes activity as a catalyst, but are not used in the reaction
state what it is meant by the key term - co-enzymes
a substance that enhances the action of an enzyme as it binds to protein molecules, but are not used in the reaction
state what it is meant by the key term - prosthetic group
a prosthetic group is a non-protein chemical group bound to a protein, usually forming part of an active site, and is essential for biological activity
state the names of the 4 fat soluble vitamins
- retinol (vitamin A)
- ergocalciferol (vitamin D)
- alpha tocopherol (vitamin E)
- phytonadione (vitamin K)
state the names of the 6 B vitamins you need to know
- Thiamine (B1)
- Riboflavin (B2)
- Nicotinic acid (B3)
- Pantothenic acid (B5)
- Pyridoxine (B6)
- Cobalamin (B12)
state the names of the 3 other water soluble vitamins you need to know (not including any B group vitamins)
- Ascorbic acid (C)
- Choline
- Folates
state 3 sources of Thiamine (B1)
- liver
- fresh vegetables
- husk of cereal grains
state the function of Thiamine (B1)
Thiamine is required as a co-factor in oxidative decarboxylation reactions (eg - important for ATP resynthesis)
state an example of Thiamine in an oxidative decarboxylation reaction, and state the name of the enzyme which catalyses the reaction
- Pyruvate + CoASH + NAD+ –> Acetyl CoA + CO2 + NADH
2. pyruvate dehydrogenase (enzyme)
state 3 general facts about the ‘pyruvate dehydrogenase’ enzyme
- located in the mitochondria
- links glycolysis and the CTA/Kreb’s cycle
- a multi-enzyme complex comprised of 3 sub-units
pyruvate dehydrogenase is a multi-enzyme complex compromised of what 3 sub-units ?
- pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1)
- dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2)
- dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3)
what is the co-factor for the part of the ‘pyruvate dehydrogenase’ sub-unit - pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1)
Thiamine pyrophosphate
what is the co-factor for the part of the ‘pyruvate dehydrogenase’ sub-unit - dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2)
Lipoate, CoA
what is the co-factor for the part of the ‘pyruvate dehydrogenase’ sub-unit - dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3)
FAD, NAD+
state the term for Thiamine (B1) deficiency
Beriberi
what type of tissue does Beriberi effect ?
Beriberi effects tissue with high ATP turnover (eg - muscle, brain)
state 3/5 symptoms of Beriberi
- parasthesia (pins + needles)
- enlarged heart
- wrist and foot drop (inability to turn wrist of foot upward)
- muscle weakness + atrophy
- digestive disturbances
Beriberi can occur in what two situations ?
- alcoholics (with a poor diet)
2. communities subsisting on polished rice (removal of the husk = removal of Thiamine/B1)
state, and explain, the two types of Beriberi
- wet (characterised by oedema and eventual heart failure)
2. dry (neuropathies - any disease of peripheral nerves causing weakness and numbness)
what is a disease which is caused by ‘Neuropathies’ ?
Wernicke’s Encephalopathy
state what it is meant by the key term - ‘Neuropathies’
Peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can cause pain, numbness or weakness
state what 3 things Neuropathies (Wernicke’s Encephalopathy) is characterised by
- Nystagmus - rapid involuntary eye movements
- ophthalmoplegia - paralysis of eye muscles
- ataxia - unsteady gait / shaky movements
state what it is meant by the key term - Korsakoff’s syndrome
Korsakoff syndrome is a chronic memory disorder caused by severe deficiency of Thiamine (B1)
state what 2 things ‘Korsakoff’s syndrome’ is characterised by
- amnesia
2. additional psychiatric manifestations
state 4 sources of Nicotinic acid / Niacin (B3)
- liver
- legumes
- lean meats
- cereals
state the reaction that Nicotinic acid (Niacin/B3) takes place in, and the enzyme that catalyses the reaction
- pyruvate + NADH –> lactate + NAD+
2. lactate dehydrogenase
what is the term for a deficiency in Nicotinic acid (Niacin/B3)
Pellagra (Italian for ‘rough skin’)
where is pellagra an endemic ?
pellagra is an epidemic in remote areas (ie - where green veg, fruit and animal protein is difficult to obtain)