Vitamins: Classification and Function

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Questions and Answers

What are the two criteria a substance must satisfy to be classified as a vitamin?

  1. It must be a vital, organic dietary substance (not carbohydrate, fat, protein, or mineral) needed in very small amounts for a specific metabolic function or to prevent a deficiency disease. 2. It cannot be manufactured by the body and must be supplied by the diet.

Vitamins provide the body with calories for energy.

False (B)

What are the two main groups vitamins are classified into based on solubility?

Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and water-soluble vitamins (B-group, C).

Fat-soluble vitamins can only be absorbed in the presence of dietary _____.

<p>fat</p>
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Fat-soluble vitamins are readily excreted and cannot be stored in the body.

<p>False (B)</p>
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Which vitamin was the first fat-soluble vitamin to be discovered?

<p>Vitamin A</p>
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Vitamin A is found only in animal foods, mainly as _____.

<p>retinol</p>
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Plants provide precursors of vitamin A in the form of orange-yellow pigments called _____.

<p>carotenoids</p>
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The chief source of provitamin A carotenoids in human nutrition is _____.

<p>beta-carotene</p>
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Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the _____ _____ during absorption.

<p>intestinal mucosa</p>
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How many micrograms (mcg) of retinol are equivalent to 1 International Unit (IU) of Vitamin A?

<p>0.3 mcg retinol</p>
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Vitamin A is necessary for normal _____ and development.

<p>growth</p>
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In vision, Vitamin A is a component of _____, also known as visual purple, found in the retina's light receptor cells.

<p>rhodopsin</p>
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The inability of a person to see well in dim light, often an early sign of vitamin A deficiency, is called night blindness or _____.

<p>nyctalopia</p>
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Vitamin A is crucial for maintaining the health of _____ tissues, which cover body surfaces and line cavities.

<p>epithelial</p>
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In vitamin A deficiency, normal mucus-secreting cells in epithelial tissues can be replaced by keratin-producing cells, leading to a dry, horny condition called _____.

<p>keratinisation</p>
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The pathological process involving the drying of the conjunctiva and cornea due to Vitamin A deficiency is termed _____.

<p>xerosis</p>
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Vitamin A, mainly as _____ acid, acts like a hormone to regulate cell differentiation in tissues and organs.

<p>retinoic</p>
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Vitamin A deficiency impairs the _____ function, compromising barriers like epithelial tissues and affecting T-cell mediated responses.

<p>immune</p>
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Vitamin A deficiency is consistently associated with an _____-deficiency type of anaemia.

<p>iron</p>
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What is the richest animal food source of vitamin A (retinol)?

<p>Liver</p>
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What nutrient found in plant foods is the precursor to vitamin A?

<p>Beta-carotene (a type of carotenoid)</p>
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_____, a carotenoid found in tomatoes, is an antioxidant known to protect against vascular degeneration and may reduce prostate cancer risk.

<p>Lycopene</p>
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According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) 2000 recommendations, what is the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of Vitamin A (retinol) for an adult man or woman?

<p>600 mcg/day</p>
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What is the term for the collective clinical manifestations of vitamin A deficiency, particularly affecting the eye?

<p>Xerophthalmia</p>
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Taking very large doses (overdosage) of vitamin A is generally safe.

<p>False (B)</p>
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Vitamin D is sometimes called the '_____ vitamin' because it can be synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight.

<p>sunshine</p>
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Vitamin D functions as a _____-hormone, playing a role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism.

<p>pro</p>
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In the skin, sunlight converts the precursor 7-_____ to vitamin D.

<p>dehydrocholesterol</p>
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What are the two primary functions of the active form of Vitamin D (calcitriol) related to bone health?

<ol> <li>Stimulating calcium and phosphorus absorption in the small intestine. 2. Regulating bone mineralisation (deposit and resorption of minerals in bone).</li> </ol>
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Common foods are generally excellent sources of Vitamin D.

<p>False (B)</p>
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What are the richest known food sources of Vitamin D?

<p>Fish liver oils (e.g., cod, halibut, shark)</p>
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Vitamin D deficiency in children leads to a condition called _____, characterized by poor growth and bone deformities.

<p>rickets</p>
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In adults, Vitamin D deficiency can lead to _____, a condition where bones become soft and weak.

<p>osteomalacia</p>
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Excessive intake of Vitamin D supplements is safe and has no adverse effects.

<p>False (B)</p>
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Vitamin E, also known as _____, is a fat-soluble vitamin whose main function is as an antioxidant.

<p>alpha-tocopherol</p>
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Vitamin E protects polyunsaturated ______ ______ in cell membranes from oxidative damage.

<p>fatty acids</p>
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The trace mineral _____ works in partnership with Vitamin E as an antioxidant.

<p>selenium</p>
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What are the richest food sources of Vitamin E?

<p>Vegetable oils</p>
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The major dietary form of Vitamin K found in plants is _____.

<p>phylloquinone</p>
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The primary function of Vitamin K is its essential role in the _____ _____ process.

<p>blood clotting</p>
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Vitamin K is essential for the formation of _____ and other clotting factors by the liver.

<p>prothrombin</p>
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What are the principal dietary sources of Vitamin K?

<p>Green leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach, kale, broccoli)</p>
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Why is Vitamin K often administered to newborn infants?

<p>Human babies do not have significant reserves of vitamin K at birth, and their gut bacteria are not yet established to produce it. Administration prevents potential excessive bleeding (hemorrhagic disease of the newborn).</p>
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The use of _____ drugs or _____ can kill intestinal bacteria that synthesize Vitamin K, potentially leading to deficiency.

<p>sulfa, antibiotics</p>
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Flashcards

Fat-soluble Vitamins

Vitamins soluble in fat, absorbed with fat presence, stored in the body, not lost in cooking.

What are Vitamins?

Required for growth, maintenance, regulation and protection in animal life; not made by the body.

Vitamin Definition

Vital organic substance, not a carb, fat, protein, or mineral. Prevents deficiency/ specific metabolic function.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is found in animal foods, mainly as retinol and is a fat soluble vitamin with important functions.

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Carotenoids

Orange-yellow pigments, plants conversion to vitamin A in the intestinal mucosa during absorption.

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Vitamin A measurement

Expressed as mcg of retinol or beta-carotene/retinol equivalent instead of international units.

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Vitamin A Functions

Necessary for normal growth/development, impacts vision in dark adaptation, maintains epithelial tissue, boosts immunity.

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Epithelial Tissues

Epithelial tissues cover the body surface and line major body cavities and the tubular systems.

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Pro-vitamin A

Plant pigment, precursor to vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin A activity, antioxidant.

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Food Sources of Vitamin A

Liver, butter, ghee, milk, curds, egg yolk, refined oils, vanaspati, leafy vegetables.

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Vitamin A Daily Needs

For adults, 600 mcg of retinol or 2400 mcg of beta-carotene.

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Vitamin A Deficiency Effects

Poor absorption, results in growth failure, vision problems, skin issues, immune effects.

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Overdosage of Vitamin A

Irritability, headache, nausea, vomiting; stop intake to improve.

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7-dehydrocholesterol

Sterol present in the skin that the body converts to vitamin D in the presence of sunlight.

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Vitamin D Functions

Absorption of calcium and phosphorus which results in bone mineralization.

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Main Vitamin D Source

Irradiation of skin with sunlight.

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Vitamin D Deficiency/Rickets

Condition in kids, characterized by poor growth and bone deformation.

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Vitamin D Overdose Effects

Toxicity causes irritability, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

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Vitamin E

Alpha-tocopherol; antioxidant, prevents tissue breakdown by interrupting the oxidation process.

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Foods with Vitamin E

Vegetable oils, leafy vegetables, milk, eggs, muscle meats and fish.

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