Minerals and Vitamins Quiz

Mineral Salts

• Needed for various metabolic activities
• Most minerals obtained through food
• Sodium chloride and iron can be taken directly
• Classes of minerals:
  • Calcium
  • Phosphorus
  • Magnesium
  • Sulfur
  • Sodium
  • Chlorine
  • Iron
  • Iodine
  • Manganese
  • Fluorine
  • Copper
  • Cobalt

Vitamins

• Organic compounds needed in small quantities to support life
• Do not supply energy but help the body release energy from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
• Act as chemical enzymes in the body and play an important role in many chemical reactions
• Divided into two groups:
  • Fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamin A, D, E, and K
  • Water-soluble vitamins: Vitamin C and B-complex vitamins

B-Complex Vitamins

• Folic acid
• Thiamine (B1)
• Riboflavin (B2)
• Niacin (B3)
• Pantothenic acid (B5)
• Pyridoxine (B6)
• Cyanocobalamine (B12)

Water

• Universal solvent that dissolves many substances
• Composed of two elements: Hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio of 2:1
• Sources:
  • Metabolic water obtained from food
  • Physically obtained from rivers, wells, ponds, taps, etc.
  • Rain is a natural source
• Importance:
  • Major component of the body
  • Required for metabolic activities
  • Maintains body temperature
  • Solvent for soluble food substances, aiding digestion
  • Major component of blood, providing a medium for nutrient transportation
  • Aids in excretion of metabolic waste
  • Forms the basis of endocrinal secretions (hormones)

Carbohydrates

• Provides energy for proper functioning of the body
• Oxidizes to release heat for maintaining body temperature
• Used to build the exoskeleton of arthropods
• Mucus, which acts as a lubricant in various metabolic activities, is composed of carbohydrates
• Examples: starch, cellulose

Starch

• Insoluble carbohydrate found in corn, wheat, potatoes, beans, and peas
• Easily digested, broken down into simple sugars that can be absorbed by body cells
• Dissolves into the bloodstream

Cellulose

• Polysaccharide that makes up the cell walls of plants
• Provides roughage for proper functioning of the digestive system

Fats and Oils (Lipids)

• Fats are solid lipids at room temperature (saturated fats)
• Oils are liquid lipids at room temperature (unsaturated fats)
• Both are hydrolyzed during digestion to fatty acids and glycerol
• Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and a little oxygen
• Sources: palm oil, groundnut, soybean oil, melon oil, butter, fish, cheese, and lard
• Importance:
  • Produce more energy than carbohydrates
  • Provide essential fatty acids to animals
  • Help maintain body temperature
  • Provide fat-soluble vitamins
  • Serve as stored food
  • Fat under the skin protects the body against rapid heat loss
• Excess storage of fats in cells and tissues can cause obesity

Proteins

• Complex macromolecules made up of smaller units of amino acids
• Composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes phosphorus and sulfur
• Sources:
  • Animal: milk, egg, fish, cheese, meat, and chicken
  • Plant: groundnut, soybean, and cowpea
• Importance:
  • Help in the synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
  • Used in the synthesis of new protoplasm and cells (needed for growth and replacing dead cells)
  • Aid in reproduction
  • Used in the production of hormones

Roughage

• Also known as dietary fiber
• General term for indigestible fibrous materials derived from vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates, and proteins
• Main function is to add bulk to the diet, aiding digestion and healthy bowel function
• Easily digested by microorganisms in the intestinal tract
• Benefits:
  • Stimulates peristaltic movement in the intestinal tract
  • Reduces blood cholesterol
  • Reduces the chance of bowel cancer or gall bladder stones
  • Helps reduce excess weight gain
  • Helps lower blood sugar levels
  • Helps in the slow release of glucose in the blood
  • Helps prevent constipation

Balanced Diet

• Provides all essential nutrients in proper proportions for proper growth and good health
• Needs vary according to age, weight, sex, physical conditions, metabolism, and climate
• Percentage composition:
  • 60% carbohydrates
  • 10% fats and oils
  • 15% proteins
  • 10% vitamins, mineral salts, and water
  • Roughage essential for proper digestion
• Importance:
  • Encourages proper growth and development
  • Provides energy for metabolic processes
  • Keeps us resistant to diseases
  • Deficiency of nutrients leads to malnutrition

Kwashiorkor

• Protein-deficiency disease common in the tropics due to the high cost of protein foods.
• Symptoms:
  • Changes in skin pigments
  • Decreased muscle mass
  • Loss of body weight
  • Hair changes
  • Irritation
  • Diarrhea
  • Severe infections
  • Large belly

Enzymes

• Biological catalysts that accelerate metabolic reactions without changing their composition
• Proteinous in nature
• Characteristics:
  • Specific in action