Vitamins And Minerals

Question 1

Vitamin D functions and deficiency

Answer 1

Function: calcium homeostasis by increasing uptake of calcium from intestine, increase reabsorption of calcium from kidney, increases resorption of bone so that calcium is released

Deficiency: rickets & osteomalacia

Question 2

Vitamin E functions and deficiency

Answer 2

Functions: antioxidant

Deficiency: haemolytic anaemia, muscle weakness, peripheral neuropathy, ataxia

Question 3

Vitamin K functions and deficiency

Answer 3

Functions: require for blood clotting

Deficiency: bruising and bleeding, haematuria

Question 4

Vitamin B1 functions and deficiency

Answer 4

Functions: cofactor for 4 key enzymes including pyruvate dehydrogenase

Deficiency: wet beriberi resulting in heart failure and dry beri beri resulting in peripheral neuropathy

Question 5

Vitamin B2 functions and deficiency

Answer 5

Functions: electron carriers for a lot of redox reactions including electron transport chain and citric acid cycle

Deficiency: ariboflavinosis, angular stomatitis

Question 6

Vitamin B6 functions and deficiency

Answer 6

Function: amino acid metabolism, haem synthesis

Deficiency: microcytic anaemia, abnormal amino acid metabolism

Question 7

Vitamin B12 functions and deficiency

Answer 7

Functions: assist in breaking down of odd numbered fatty acids, assist in synthesis of methionine

Deficiency: pernicious anaemia

Question 8

Vitamin C functions and deficiency

Answer 8

Functions: cofactor in hydroxylation reactions, antioxidant

Deficiency: scurvy

Question 9

Calcium functions and deficiency

Answer 9

Functions: bone structure, nerve function, blood clotting

Deficiency: rickets, osteomalacia

Question 10

Phosphorus functions and deficiency

Answer 10

Function: structural role in teeth and bones, required for atp production

Deficiency: rickets and osteomalacia

Question 11

Magnesium function and deficiency

Answer 11

Functions: structural role in bones and teeth, cofactor for over 300 enzymes in body

Deficiency: muscle weakness, neurological symptoms

Question 12

Sodium functions and deficiency

Answer 12

Function: fluid balance, nerve impulse transmission

Deficiency: Addison’s disease, hyperglycaemia, water loss

Excess: hypertension, cardiac failure

Question 13

Potassium function and deficiency

Answer 13

Functions: osmotic gradient, water balance

Deficiency: hypokalaemia

Question 14

Iron functions and deficiency

Answer 14

Functions: enzyme cofactor, oxygen transport, brain and immune function

Deficiency: microcytic anaemia

Question 15

Zinc functions and deficiency

Answer 15

Functions: cofactor of 100 enzymes

Deficiency: stunted growth, delayed wound healing

Question 16

Copper function and deficiency

Answer 16

Function: synthesis of a number of copper containing enzymes

Deficiency: Menke’s kinky hair syndrone

Question 17

Iodine functions and deficiency

Answer 17

Function: synthesis of thyroid hormones

Deficiency: goitre, cretinism

Question 18

Selenium functions and deficiency

Answer 18

Functions: cofactor of glutathione peroxidase

Deficiency: keshan’s disease

Question 19

Vitamin A functions and deficiency

Answer 19

Functions:
Retinoic acid: steroid hormone to increase epithelial cells turnover
Retinal: involved in night vision
Beta carotene: antioxidant

Deficiency:
Night blindness
Xerophthalmia