Vitamins: Major Functions & Deficiencies

Question 1

Vitamin A

Answer 1

function: component of visual pigment, maintains specialized epithelium and resistance to infection
deficiency: night blindness, xerophthalmia, blindness
squamous metaplasia, vulnerability to infection (measles)

Question 2

Vitamin D

Answer 2

function: intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus & mineralization of bone
deficiency: rickets (kids) osteomalacia (adults)

Question 3

Vitamin K

Answer 3

function: cofactor in hepatic carbox of procoagulnts (2, 7, 9, 10, proteins C & S)
deficiency: bleeding diathesis

Question 4

B1 (Thiamine)

Answer 4

function: coenzyme in decarboxylation rxns
deficiency: Beriberi (dry & wet), wernicke’ and Korsakoff

Question 5

B3 (Niacin)

Answer 5

function: NAD and NADP, involved w redox
deficiency: pellagra: dementia, dermatitis, diarrhea

Question 6

B6 (pyridoxine)

Answer 6

function: coenzyme in intermediary rxns
deficiency: peripheral neuropathy, cheilosis (inflammation/cracking), dermatitis, maintenance of myelinization of spinal cord tracts

Question 7

B12

Answer 7

function: normal folate, and DNA synthesis
deficiency: megaloblastic pernicious anemia and degeneration of posterolateral spinal cord tracts

Question 8

Vit C

Answer 8

function: redox reactions & hydroxylation of collagen
deficiency: Scurvy