UGEB2380: Micronutrients and Food Additives
72 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which statement accurately describes minerals?

  • They can be synthesized by living organisms.
  • They must be absorbed from the soil by plants. (correct)
  • They are composed mainly of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
  • They are mostly stored in the body's soft tissues.

    • What is the primary role of calcium in the human body?

  • To enhance mental clarity.
  • To regulate blood sugar levels.
  • To aid in the digestion of proteins.
  • To form strong bones and teeth. (correct)

    • How much calcium is typically present in a 70 kg (154 lb) person?

  • Less than 0.5 kg
  • More than 3.0 kg
  • About 1.0 to 1.5 kg (correct)
  • About 2.0 to 2.5 kg

    • What is the relationship between phosphorus and calcium in the body?

    <p>Phosphorus helps in packing calcium into bone structures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which two minerals primarily form the major ions of fluids in and around cells?

    <p>Potassium and Sodium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of a poison?

    <p>Any chemical substance that can cause illness or death when it enters the body by eating, drinking, inhalation, or injection.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a toxin?

    <p>A poison of biological origin, produced by a plant or an animal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does LD50 represent?

    <p>The amount needed to kill 50% of a population of test animals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If the LD50 for sodium cyanide is 15 mg/kg, what does that indicate compared to aspirin with an LD50 of 1.5 g/kg?

    <p>Sodium cyanide is more lethal than aspirin.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do different methods of introducing nicotine affect its LD50 in mice?

    <p>LD50 values vary significantly based on the method of introduction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    William Lowrance's definition of safety focuses on what aspect?

    <p>The acceptability of risk and individual perspectives on safety.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about natural foods is correct?

    <p>Natural foods can sometimes contain harmful substances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a 1.5 g/kg LD50 for aspirin mean for a population of mice?

    <p>50% of mice will die if provided 1.5 g of aspirin per kg of body weight.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a function of chlorine in the body?

    <p>Regulates fluid balance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which mineral is primarily known for its role in hardening bones and teeth?

    <p>Magnesium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the main roles of food additives?

    <p>Improve food safety</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of a sequestrant like EDTA in food?

    <p>To bond with metal ions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true about humectants?

    <p>They retain moisture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do emulsifiers such as mono- and diglycerides function in food?

    <p>Create stable mixtures of non-mixing liquids</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which is an example of a food additive that helps preserve freshness?

    <p>Ascorbic acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the minimum dietary requirement amount for major minerals?

    <p>Above 100 mg per day</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does magnesium play in regulating biochemical activities within cells?

    <p>It helps control protein formation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes food additives?

    <p>Compounds that enhance food quality and safety</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What essential substances do micronutrients support in the body?

    <p>Cellular function and health</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following vitamins is fat-soluble?

    <p>Vitamin D</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary function of Vitamin C?

    <p>Boosts collagen formation and resistance to infections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What condition can result from a deficiency in Vitamin A?

    <p>Night blindness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary dietary source of Vitamin B12?

    <p>Dairy products</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What health benefit is associated with Vitamin B6?

    <p>Lowering homocysteine levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which vitamin plays a crucial role in the formation of collagen strands?

    <p>Vitamin C</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be a consequence of excessive Vitamin A intake?

    <p>Skin discoloration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can the body synthesize Vitamin D?

    <p>Through sunlight exposure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which vitamin is required for the metabolism of fatty acids?

    <p>Vitamin B7</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of Vitamin D in the body?

    <p>Promotes calcium absorption</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are vitamins divided into water-soluble and fat-soluble categories?

    <p>Based on their absorption and storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates major minerals from other minerals in terms of dietary requirement?

    <p>Required in the diet in amounts greater than 100 mg per day</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much of the body's calcium is typically found in bones and teeth?

    <p>99%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of phosphorus in relation to calcium?

    <p>To help pack calcium into the lattices of bones and teeth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following minerals primarily functions as major ions in fluids surrounding cells?

    <p>Potassium (K+) and Sodium (Na+)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about minerals is correct?

    <p>They consist of atoms or ions of individual elements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between a poison and a toxin?

    <p>Toxin is always produced by living organisms, while poison can come from any source.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of LD50, what does a value of 1.5 g/kg for aspirin indicate?

    <p>Half of a population would die if given 1.5 g of aspirin per kg.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of magnesium in the human body?

    <p>Important for the formation of proteins and regulates biochemical activities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Considering the LD50 of sodium cyanide is 15 mg/kg, how does it compare to the LD50 of aspirin?

    <p>Sodium cyanide is 100 times more lethal than aspirin.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the concept of safety primarily depend on according to William Lowrance?

    <p>It involves the acceptability of risk which varies by individual and agency.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What function does chlorine serve in the body?

    <p>Balances electrical charges of the body's cations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do food additives improve the quality of foods?

    <p>Through enhancing taste, appearance, and preserving freshness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of the method of introduction on the LD50 of nicotine in mice?

    <p>Different methods significantly change the lethality of nicotine.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do individuals show varied responses to identical poisons or toxins?

    <p>Genetic and physiological differences among individuals can influence responses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of humectants in food products?

    <p>To attract or retain moisture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be concluded about caffeine in coffee based on the content provided?

    <p>Caffeine can be considered a poison if consumed in significant amounts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic allows emulsifiers like mono- and diglycerides to stabilize mixtures?

    <p>They possess both polar and non-polar groups.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of major minerals?

    <p>Minerals required in the diet in amounts greater than 100 mg per day.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is NOT typically considered when determining the safety of a substance?

    <p>The popularity of the substance among consumers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does EDTA function as a sequestrant in food?

    <p>It wraps around and bonds to metal ions to prevent oxidation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does the presence of propylene glycol have on coconut flakes?

    <p>Helps retain moisture through hydrogen bonding.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a function of food additives?

    <p>Alter genetic content of food.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of the major minerals in the diet?

    <p>They occur in significant amounts within the body.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines micronutrients in the context of nutrition?

    <p>Dietary substances needed in trace amounts for proper health</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a key function of Vitamin C?

    <p>Collagen formation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which vitamin is primarily responsible for maintaining healthy vision in dim light?

    <p>Vitamin A</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can be a consequence of chronic excess intake of Vitamin A?

    <p>Toxic effects on the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following dietary sources is rich in Vitamin B9?

    <p>Broccoli</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is Vitamin D synthesized in the body?

    <p>By light activating skin compounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of vitamins are predominantly water-soluble?

    <p>Vitamin C and B vitamins</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of Vitamin B6 in the body?

    <p>Lowering homocysteine levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which food is particularly high in Vitamin B5?

    <p>Avocado</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the specific term for the condition caused by Vitamin C deficiency?

    <p>Scurvy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which vitamin contributes to the metabolism of fatty acids?

    <p>Vitamin B7</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Excess intake of which vitamin can temporarily change skin color by imparting a yellow hue?

    <p>Beta-carotene</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which vitamin serves a vital function in blood cell formation?

    <p>Vitamin B9</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does Vitamin E primarily serve in the body?

    <p>Antioxidant function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    UGEB2380: The Chemistry of Life

    • Course title: The Chemistry of Life
    • Academic year: 2024-25
    • Instructor: Dr. Sam CK HAU (Department of Chemistry)

    Micronutrients, Food Additives, and Food Safety

    • Micronutrients are components of foods, vital for bodily well-being, but do not provide energy directly. They include vitamins and minerals.
    • Micronutrients contribute to the taste, texture, or stability of foods. They may offer additional health benefits.
    • Food additives are intentionally added to foods to produce specific, beneficial results, regardless of legal status.
    • Functions of additives include improving or maintaining food quality (adding salt, sweeteners), enhancing food appearance (food coloring), increasing nutritional values, preserving freshness, and more. Examples of food additives include vitamin D added to milk.
    • Sequestrants (like EDTA) when added to food bind to metal ions, preventing them from catalyzing the oxidation of fats, helping prevent rancidity.
    • Humectants (like propylene glycol) help retain moisture.
    • Emulsifiers (like mono- and diglycerides) help keep liquids from separating and maintain a smooth texture. Emulsifiers help ingredients like peanut butter remain creamy.

    Vitamins

    • Water-soluble vitamins:
      • Vitamins B1, B2, B3 (meat, whole grains): Vital for cellular function and support of skin, hair, brain health, nervous system, and cardiovascular health.
      • Vitamin B5 (avocado, broccoli): Supports cardiovascular health and the metabolism of fatty acids. Helps with healthy bones and hair.
      • Vitamin B6 (avocado, broccoli, salmon): Supports cardiovascular health.
      • Vitamin B7 (carrot, sweet potato): Helps with the metabolism of fatty acids and is vital for healthy bones and hair.
      • Vitamin B9 and B12 (avocado, cauliflower, carrots): Important for cell repair, maintenance, and blood cell formation, aiding in cardiovascular health.
      • Vitamin C (citrus fruits): Important for immune function, collagen formation, and antioxidant activity. This vitamin protects against scurvy.
    • Fat-soluble vitamin A:
      • Retinol: important for eye health, skin health, and mucous membranes. Deficiency can cause night blindness.
      • Accumulates in body fat, particularly in the liver.
      • Large amounts can be toxic.
      • Carrots contain beta-carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A. Beta-carotene gives carrots their color.
    • Fat-soluble vitamin D:
      • Promotes calcium and phosphorus absorption for bone health.
      • The body can form Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) from 7-dehydrocholesterol through exposure to UV rays. This vitamin is formed in the body when skin is exposed to the sun.

    Minerals

    • Include elements of foods, excluding carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Consists of atoms or ions of individual elements.
    • Absorbed by plants and then animals.
    • Cannot be created by living things but are absorbed from the earth.
    • Major Minerals:
      • Calcium: Essential for bone and teeth formation. Around 99% of it is in bones and teeth.
      • Phosphorus: Important for bone structure and the lattice structure that holds calcium firmly in place. It is often about half the amount of calcium in the body.
      • Potassium and Sodium: Important for regulating fluids in and around cells (intracellular and extracellular fluids). Regulate activities of enzymes, maintain proper fluid levels, and transmit nerve signals.
      • Chlorine: Important for regulating fluid balance and forming hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
      • Magnesium: Plays roles in bone and teeth health, regulating biochemical activities within cells, helping control protein formation and transmission of electrical signals.

    Food Safety

    • A poison can be a naturally occurring component of food.
    • Toxins are poisons of biological origin produced by plants or animals. A toxin might enter the body by eating spoiled food, or by a snake or insect bite.
    • LD50: Measures the virulence of a poison; the amount of chemical needed to kill half of a group of animals. The LD50 level varies among animals due to varying reactions to the chemical.

    Natural Foods

    • Natural foods generally contain fewer hazardous chemicals than processed foods.
    • Mangoes are a healthy and safe food that is not considered poisonous to the majority. However, some people have allergies.

    Natural Toxins in Foods

    • Some plant compounds act as strong insect poisons.
    • Some plant chemicals are both toxins and carcinogens (for example, safrole). Safrole comes from the sassafras tree. Safrole is also found in smaller amounts in cocoa, black pepper, spices, and herbs.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    UGEB2380 The Chemistry of Life 2024-25 PDF

    Description

    Explore the essential role of micronutrients in our diet and their benefits for health. This quiz also covers the functions and types of food additives that enhance food quality and safety. Test your knowledge of how these components contribute to the chemistry of life.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser