Minerals and Their Importance in Diet

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Questions and Answers

Which statement best defines a mineral?

A substance composed of organic compounds.

An inorganic nutrient essential for various bodily functions. (correct)

A water-soluble vitamin required for metabolism.

A type of energy-producing carbohydrate.

What is one principal function of minerals in metabolism?

They serve exclusively as structural components of cells.

They assist in enzyme activation and regulation. (correct)

They provide the body with energy storage.

They are the primary source of protein synthesis.

Which of the following diseases is associated with mineral deficiency?

Rickets caused by vitamin D deficiency.

Pellagra linked to niacin deficiency.

Osteoporosis related to calcium deficiency. (correct)

Scurvy due to vitamin C deficiency.

Which class of minerals is typically required in larger amounts for metabolic functions?

Major minerals. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a principal function of minerals?

Direct involvement in DNA synthesis. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements is classified as a macro-mineral?

Calcium Ca Signup and view all the answers

What is the chemical symbol for Potassium?

K Signup and view all the answers

Which macro-mineral is primarily involved in bone structure?

Calcium Ca Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements is NOT a macro-mineral?

Fluoride F Signup and view all the answers

Which element is represented by the symbol 'Se'?

Selenium Signup and view all the answers

What defines minerals in the context of nutrition?

Inorganic elements required in the diet Signup and view all the answers

In what amounts are minerals generally required in the diet?

Small amounts measured in milligrams (mg) or micrograms (μg) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the biological functions of minerals in the body?

Establishing ion gradients across membranes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following minerals are primarily responsible for establishing ion gradients?

Chlorine, potassium, and sodium Signup and view all the answers

What could be a potential consequence of excessive mineral intake?

Toxicity and harmful physiological effects Signup and view all the answers

Which electrolyte is primarily responsible for maintaining water balance in the body?

Sodium Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following electrolytes helps to neutralize charges on proteins?

Potassium Signup and view all the answers

What role does calcium play in the body besides being a structural component of bones and teeth?

Hormone action and blood clotting Signup and view all the answers

Which electrolyte is NOT typically associated with structural components of bones and teeth?

Potassium Signup and view all the answers

Which ions are crucial for maintaining charge neutrality in the body?

Sodium, Chloride, Potassium Signup and view all the answers

What role does phosphorus play in the body?

It is required for the formation of ATP. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following minerals is classified as a micro-mineral?

Iron Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of magnesium in the body?

Activates many enzymes. Signup and view all the answers

How are macro-minerals defined in terms of daily requirement?

Required in amounts greater than 100 mg/day. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following micro-minerals has unknown functions in humans?

Gold Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is false regarding micro-minerals?

They are needed in larger quantities than macro-minerals. Signup and view all the answers

Which element is not considered a micro-mineral based on human health?

Calcium Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements is categorized as a micro-mineral with uncertain functions in humans?

Bismuth Signup and view all the answers

Among the listed elements, which is not typically associated with known human functions?

Strontium Signup and view all the answers

What is a common trait of the micro-minerals mentioned in the content?

They all have unknown biological roles. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Minerals

Minerals are inorganic elements essential in the diet.
They are required in small amounts (milligrams or micrograms).
The presentation outlines the bio-importance, classification, and deficiencies/toxicities of various minerals.

Learning Outcomes

Defines a mineral.
Explains the biomedical importance of minerals.
Categorizes different mineral classes (macro and micro).
Details the primary functions of minerals in metabolic processes.
Discusses diseases associated with mineral deficiencies.
Covers the toxicity of excessive mineral intake.

Definition of Mineral

Minerals are inorganic elements needed for an adequate diet.

Biological Importance

Minerals establish ion gradients across cell membranes (e.g., Cl⁻, K+, Na⁺).
They help maintain water balance in the body (e.g., Cl⁻, K+, Na⁺).
Minerals balance positive and negative charges on proteins and other molecules (e.g., Cl⁻, K+, Na⁺).
Some minerals are structural components of bones and teeth (e.g., calcium and phosphorus).
Calcium plays a role in hormone function and blood clotting.
Phosphorus is crucial for ATP formation.
Magnesium activates many enzymes.
Iron is a component of hemoglobin.

Classification of Minerals

Macro-minerals: Required in amounts exceeding 100 mg/day. Examples include calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and chlorine (Cl)
Micro-minerals: Needed in amounts of 100 mg/day or less. Examples include iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), iodine (I), fluoride (F), selenium (Se), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and cobalt (Co).

Macro-minerals Details

Calcium (Ca):
- Sources: Dairy products, beans, vegetables
- Function: Structural component of bones and teeth, hormone action, blood clotting.
- Deficiency: Rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults.
- Toxicity: Stones in kidneys.
Phosphorus (P):
- Sources: Widely distributed in food
- Function: Constituent of bones and teeth, ATP formation, enzyme activity, metabolic intermediates, phospholipids
- Deficiency: Rare
- Toxicity: Decrease in calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc absorption
Magnesium (Mg):
- Sources: Milk, meat, legumes, cocoa, eggs
- Function: Constituent of bones and teeth, enzyme co-factor
- Deficiency: Irregular heart beat, severe kidney damage
Sodium (Na):
- Sources: Table salt
- Function: Establish ion gradients across membranes, maintain water balance, neutralize negative charges on proteins
- Deficiency: Hypotension
- Toxicity: Hypertension
Potassium (K):
- Sources: Vegetables, fruits
- Function: Establish ion gradients across membranes, maintain water balance, neutralize negative charges on proteins
- Deficiency: Hypokalemia
- Toxicity: Hyperkalemia
Chlorine (Cl):
- Sources: Table salt
- Function: Digestion (HCl), establish ion gradients across membranes, maintain water balance, neutralize positive charges on proteins
- Deficiency: Muscle cramps
- Toxicity: Fluid retention

Micro-minerals Details

Iron (Fe):
- Sources: Red meats, liver, eggs
- Function: Component of hemoglobin, part of many enzymes, energy release
- Deficiency: Anemia
- Toxicity: Hemochromatosis
Zinc (Zn):
- Sources: Meat, fish, dairy products, vegetables
- Function: Cofactor for many enzymes, growth, skin repair, taste and smell
- Deficiency: Growth failure in children, loss of taste and smell
- Toxicity: Vomiting
Iodine (I):
- Sources: Sea food, iodized salt
- Function: Formation of thyroid hormones T4 and T3
- Deficiency: Hypothyroidism, goiter
- Toxicity: Hyperthyroidism
Fluoride (F):
- Sources: Drinking water, sea food
- Function: Increases bone and teeth hardness.
- Deficiency: Tooth decay
- Toxicity: Discoloration of teeth
Selenium (Se):
- Sources: Cereals, fish, eggs
- Function: Antioxidant, immune system function
- Deficiency: Liver disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease
- Toxicity: Diabetes Mellitus, liver failure
Copper (Cu):
- Sources: Liver
- Function: Cofactor of many enzymes, iron absorption, myelin formation
- Deficiency: Anemia, Menkes syndrome
- Toxicity: Wilson's disease, depression
Chromium (Cr):
- Sources: Meat, liver, sea food, cheese
- Function: Potentiating insulin secretion
- Deficiency: Diabetes Mellitus
Manganese (Mn):
- Sources: Widely distributed in plant foods
- Function: Enzyme co-factor, glycoprotein and proteoglycan synthesis
- Deficiency: Hypertension, irreversible nerve damage
Cobalt (Co):
- Sources: Meats, dairy products, vegetables
- Function: Constituent of vitamin B12
- Deficiency: Megaloblastic anemia, hyperthyroidism, increased cancer cell growth

Other Micro-minerals

Some micro-minerals (e.g., strontium, bromine, gold, silver) have yet to have all of their functions fully identified in humans

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Description

This quiz explores the essential role of minerals in the diet, their classification, and the health implications of deficiencies and toxicities. Participants will learn about the biomedical significance of macro and micro minerals and their impact on metabolic processes.