Vitamins Overview Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'avitaminosis' refer to?

A condition resulting from lack of vitamins (correct)

A substance that interferes with vitamin function

A condition resulting from an excess of vitamins

A physiological role similar to that of vitamins

Which of the following vitamins is classified as water-soluble?

Vitamin D

Vitamin K

Vitamin A

Vitamin C (correct)

Who coined the term 'vitamine'?

Casimir Funk (correct)

Louis Pasteur

Benjamin Franklin

Albert Einstein

What is hypervitaminosis?

Toxicity due to excessive vitamin accumulation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a fat-soluble vitamin?

Vitamin C Signup and view all the answers

What does 'vitamin malnutrition' denote?

Too much or too little vitamin affecting health Signup and view all the answers

Which vitamin can be produced by the body?

Vitamin D Signup and view all the answers

What do provitamins refer to?

Compounds that can be converted into active vitamins Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a food source of preformed vitamin A?

Clams Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of vitamin D (calciferol)?

Absorbing calcium and phosphorus Signup and view all the answers

What condition is characterized by abnormal muscle twitching due to vitamin D deficiency?

Tetany Signup and view all the answers

At what age does the anterior fontanelle typically close in infants?

10-24 months Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a manifestation of rickets in children?

Osteoporosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the adult equivalent condition of rickets caused by vitamin D deficiency?

Osteomalacia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following food sources is high in provitamin A?

Malunggay Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of osteomalacia?

Softening of bones Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key functions of vitamin C?

It improves iron absorption for hemoglobin. Signup and view all the answers

Which cooking method can lead to the loss of vitamin C?

Boiling vegetables in excess water. Signup and view all the answers

What role does choline play in fat metabolism?

It mobilizes fat and prevents fatty acid build-up. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom of vitamin C deficiency?

Bleeding gums Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a symptom of kwashiorkor?

Edema in the ankles and belly Signup and view all the answers

What dietary changes are recommended for treating kwashiorkor?

Consume more protein and calories. Signup and view all the answers

Which food is an excellent source of vitamin C?

Broccoli Signup and view all the answers

What happens when sodium bicarbonate is used in cooking vegetables?

Destroys vitamin C. Signup and view all the answers

Choline is a critical component of which phospholipid involved in fat transport?

Lecithin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following food sources is rich in choline?

Egg yolk Signup and view all the answers

During which life stage is the requirement for vitamin C notably increased?

Pregnancy and lactation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding vitamin C toxicity?

It is safe even in large doses. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a sign of scurvy?

Increased energy levels. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following food sources are rich in Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)?

Peanuts Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary functions of Pantothenic acid?

Essential for metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a source of Lipoic acid?

Beef liver Signup and view all the answers

What is a symptom of Pantothenic acid deficiency?

Muscle cramps Signup and view all the answers

Biotin serves as a coenzyme factor in which of the following processes?

CO2 fixation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a food source of Pantothenic acid?

Potatoes Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Lipoic acid in the body?

Coenzyme in energy metabolism Signup and view all the answers

Which vitamin is primarily sourced from legumes, liver, and meats?

Pantothenic acid Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vitamins

Derived from the Latin words "vita" (life) and "amine" (nitrogen compound), though not all vitamins contain nitrogen.
Coined by Casimir Funk in 1912 while researching beriberi.
Don't provide energy but aid in converting food into energy.
Deficiencies cause fatigue, and long-term deficiencies lead to health deterioration.
Vitamins D and niacin are produced by the body.
Shortages of vitamins A, B, and C cause appetite loss.
Lack caloric value.

Terms Associated with Vitamins

Precursors or Provitamins: Compounds convertible to active vitamins.
Preformed Vitamins: Naturally occurring, inactive vitamins ready for biological use.
Avitaminosis: Condition from vitamin deficiency.
Hypervitaminosis: Vitamin toxicity from excessive accumulation.
Vitamin Malnutrition: Too much or too little vitamin intake.
Vitamin-like compounds: Substances with vitamin-like physiological roles.
Antivitamins or Vitamin Antagonists: Substances interfering with vitamin function.

Classification of Vitamins by Solubility

Fat-soluble: Vitamins A, D, E, and K, found in foods associated with lipids.
Water-soluble: B complex vitamins and vitamin C.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin A (Retinol): Sources include animal products (liver, eggs, dairy), fortified foods, and certain fish. Provitamin A is found in green and yellow vegetables.
Vitamin D (Calciferol): Absorbs calcium and phosphorus; essential for bone and teeth formation. Deficiency leads to tetany in infants (delayed fontanel closure, dentition issues), rickets in children (bone deformities, retarded growth), and osteomalacia in adults (bone softening, deformities). Fontanels close at different times post-birth (posterior: 2-3 months; sphenoidal: 6 months; mastoid: 6-18 months; anterior: 10-24 months).
Vitamin E (Tocopherol):
Vitamin K (Phylloquinone, Menadione):

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Improves iron absorption, vital for brain metabolism, and possesses antioxidant properties.
Easily destroyed by cooking, bruising, cutting, and air exposure. Preserved by quick freezing and refrigeration. Sodium bicarbonate use in cooking destroys it.
Deficiency causes irritability, weakness, appetite loss, lowered immunity, pallor, and scurvy (bleeding gums, loose teeth, swollen joints, internal hemorrhages, capillary fragility, megaloblastic anemia).
No hypervitaminosis C due to lack of body storage.
Males require more than females; increased intake needed during growth, pregnancy, lactation, and stress.
Rich sources include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, peppers, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and various fruits (citrus, kiwi, mango, papaya, pineapple, berries, watermelon).

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): Sources include corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, olive oil, peanuts, wheat germ, rice germ, lard, and legumes. Wheat germ and rice germ are particularly rich in nutrients.
Pantothenic Acid: Essential for carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism; maintains growth, healthy skin, and central nervous system integrity. Deficiency causes insomnia, muscle cramps, tingling extremities, and vomiting. Sources include liver, glandular organs, meats, eggs, milk, cheese, and legumes.
Lipoic Acid: A sulfur-containing fatty acid (not a true vitamin); coenzyme in energy metabolism; found in yeast and liver.
Biotin: Coenzyme in CO2 fixation; assists in purine, pyrimidine, fatty acid synthesis, and carboxylation reactions.

Choline: Lipotropic agent (mobilizes fat); needed for fat transport in phospholipids (lecithin, cephalin, sphingomyelin). Deficiency causes fatty liver, seen in alcoholism and kwashiorkor. Sources include egg yolk, liver, brain, kidney, heart, meats, legumes, nuts, and yeast. Kwashiorkor is a protein deficiency marked by edema, skin/hair changes, fatigue, diarrhea, muscle loss, failure to thrive, irritability, and increased infection susceptibility. Treatment involves increased protein and calorie intake along with supplementation.

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Description

Test your knowledge on vitamins, their functions, and the effects of deficiencies and excesses on health. This quiz covers key terms like avitaminosis, hypervitaminosis, and the different types of vitamins and their roles in the body. Dive in to explore the intricacies of these essential nutrients!