Nutrition Quiz on Minerals and Functions

Calcium

• Essential for bone and tooth formation, blood coagulation, muscle contraction, nerve functions, cell permeability, and enzyme activation.
• Deficiency results in rickets in young individuals, osteomalacia in adults, and tetany.
• Impacts growth and bone development; thin-shelled eggs can occur.
• Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption and deposition; excess phosphorus and magnesium can hinder calcium absorption and increase excretion.

Phosphorus

• Vital for bone and tooth formation, phosphorylation, acid-base balance, enzyme synthesis, and cellular energy.
• Deficiency leads to rickets, osteomalacia, rough hair coat, pica, and reduced appetite.
• Vitamin D plays a role in absorption and deposition; excess calcium and magnesium can decrease phosphorus absorption.

Magnesium

• Functions as an enzyme activator in the glycolytic system and is essential for bone formation.
• Deficiency symptoms include convulsions, loss of balance, anorexia, and excessive salivation.
• Excess magnesium can disrupt calcium and phosphorus metabolism.

Sodium

• Major extracellular fluid cation involved in osmotic pressure, acid-base balance, and muscle function.
• Deficiency can lead to growth reduction, reproductive impairment, and salt craving.
• Excessive sodium leads to toxicity, causing staggering, blindness, and nervous disorders.

Chlorine

• Major anion involved in osmotic pressure, acid-base balance, and is a component of hydrochloric acid for digestion.
• Deficiency can result in hydrochloric alkalosis.

Potassium

• Major intracellular fluid cation essential for osmotic pressure, acid-base balance, muscle activity, and electrolyte balance.
• Deficiency leads to hypokalemia, muscle weakness, lethargy, and heart lesions.

Sulfur

• Integral for amino acid synthesis and tissue respiration; key for protein synthesis in ruminants.
• Deficiency can cause low feed efficiency and slow wool growth.

Iron

• Critical for cellular respiration as part of hemoglobin and various enzymes.
• Deficiency results in hypochromic-microcytic anemia, thumps in pigs, and loss of appetite.
• Calcium-phosphorus ratio affects iron absorption; cooper and pyridoxine deficiencies impact its utilization.

Copper

• Serves as a cofactor for enzymes, crucial for hemoglobin synthesis and bone formation.
• Deficiency causes fading hair coat, lameness, joint swelling, and anemia.
• Excess molybdenum and zinc can inhibit copper utilization, with toxicity risks above 250 ppm.

Zinc

• Co-factor in multiple enzyme systems including peptidases and carbonic anhydrase.
• Deficiency symptoms include poor hair/feather development, rough skin, anorexia, and hyperkeratosis in chicks.

Manganese

• Activates enzymes important for metabolism, including fatty acids and cholesterol.
• Critical for bone formation, growth, and reproduction.
• Deficiency leads to poor growth, reproduction issues, and conditions like perosis in chickens.