Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Biochemistry Week 10 - Vitamins and Minerals
Biochemistry Week 10 - Vitamins and Minerals
1
Regulating Cell Differentiation - process in which Essential in blood clotting, formation of prothrombin
immature cells change to specialized cells with Needed in biosynthesis of other proteins in plasma,
function. bone and kidney
Examples: Differentiation of bone marrow cells Two major forms; K1 and K2
white blood cells and red blood cells. K1 (Phylloquinon) found in dark green, leafy
Maintenance of the healthy of epithelial tissues via vegetables, it has a side chain that is predominantly
epithelial tissue differentiation. saturated, one C-C double bond present
Epithelial Tissue – covers outer body surfaces as K2 (Menaquinone)is synthesized by bacteria that grow
well as the lining internal cavities and tubes like in colon, it has several C-C double bonds
skin, lining of mouth, stomach, lungs, vagina Found in animals and human
Lack of vitamin A causes such surfaces to become Dietary need supply: ~1/2 synthesized by bacteria and
drier and harder than normal. 1/2 obtained from diet
Reproduction and Growth: In men, vitamin A Half of the human body’s vitamin k is synthesized by
participates in sperm development. In women, normal intestinal bacteria, other half comes from diet
fetal development during pregnancy requires vitamin Found in vitamin K supplements
A. Active in the formation of proteins involved in
regulating blood clotting
VITAMIN D
Only spinach and cabbage are particularly rich in
Two forms active in the body: Vitamin D2 and D3 vitamin K
Vitamin D3 – produced in the skin of humans and
animals by the action of sunlight or ultraviolet
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
Vitamin D2 – differs from vit D3 only in the side MINERALS
chain structure, produced from plant sterol through Unlike vitamins which are organic substances, minerals
the action of light are inorganic substances which is needed in small
Sunshine Vitamin: Synthesized by UV light from sun amounts that must be obtained from food
It controls correct ratio of Ca and P for bone Minerals can be divided into two groups:
mineralization (hardening) Major Minerals – large quantities, amount-wise,
As a hormone it promotes Ca and P absorption in the dividing line between major and trace mineral is
intestine 5 grams, some are a.k.a electrolytes
VITAMIN E Ex: C, P, K, S, Cl, S, Mg
Trace Elements – tiny amounts, there are more
Four forms of Vitamin Es: a-, b-, g- and d-Vitamin E than a dozen trace minerals
Differs structurally in one substituents Ex: Fe, Z, Cu, Mn, I, Se
Alpha-tocopherol is the most active biological active
form of Vitamin E major function of minerals
Peanut oils, green and leafy vegetables and whole Body building – teeth and bones
grain products are the sources of vitamin E Control of body processes, especially the nervous
Primary function: Antioxidant – protects against system
oxidation of other compounds Essential part of body fluids and cells
Important in preventing the oxidation of Form part of enzymes and other proteins necessary for
polyunsaturated fatty acids, also protects vitamin A the release of energy
from oxidation.
Action involves giving up the hydrogen present on its Examples of minerals
hydroxide group to oxygen containing free radicals
After the vitamin e is spent, the reaction with vitamin c iron
restores the hydrogen atom
Functions: Production of hemoglobin in red blood cells
Important location: Lungs – the exposure of cells to to carry oxygen in the blood
oxygen
Sources: Red meat, liver, eggs, bread, green vegetables
VITAMIN K Deficiency: Anemia – low hemoglobin and hematocrit
2
Inability to produce RBC Metabolism – biochemical process of combining
the nutrients with oxygen to release the energy that
calcium our bodies need to function
Functions: Teeth and bones, blood clotting, nerve and Sources: Milk, eggs, yogurt, seafood, iodized salt
muscle contraction, heart regulation Disease: involved Goiter – abnormal enlargement of
Sources: Dairy products, fortified white bread, green thyroid gland
vegetables, nuts and seeds
magnesium
Deficiency: Stunted growth can cause rickets and
osteoporosis Required for the production and release of parathyroid
Rickets – softening and weakening of bone of a hormone
children Functions: Muscle contraction, DNA synthesis, controls
Osteoporosis – commonly on adults, causes bone to blood sugar and blood pressure, cofactor of enzymes
become weak and brittle, most commonly occurs in Sources: Cheeses, cocoa, chocolate, nuts, beans
the hips, wrist, or spine Deficiency: hypocalcemia – low in blood calcium levels,
secondary condition , it appears as the consequences
phosphorus of hypomagnesemia
Functions: Bones and teeth accompanied by calcium, Low magnesium = low calcium
muscle contraction Major minerals
Sources: Dairy products, nuts, meat, fish, oats, cocoa
Deficiency: rarely deficient but could cause tiredness Volume and Osmotic Regulation – minerals involved
and depression are sodium, chloride, and potassium
Myocardial Rhythm and Contractility – potassium,
sodium magnesium, and calcium
Cofactor in enzyme activation – magnesium,
Functions: Maintains water balance in the body and
calcium, and zinc
controls body temperature, helps you sweat when
Regulation of adenosine triphosphate – magnesium
body temperature rises
Acid-base balance- bicarbonate, calcium ,
Sources: Cheese, smoked meats, fish, table salt,
chlorine/de
Deficiency: deficiency is highly unlikely
Blood coagulation – calcium and magnesium
potassium Neuromuscular excitability – magnesium, calcium, K
Production and use of ATP from glucose –
Functions: Muscle contraction and in maintaining body magnesium and phosphate
fluid. It is necessary for the building of muscle and for
normal body growth.
Sources: Banana, celery, meat, fruits, milk, grains,
legumes, raisins, dates, figs
Deficiency: dry skin, acne, muscle spasms or weakness
zinc
Functions: Aids the immune system. Cofactor in
enzymes. Needed for the senses of smell and taste
Sources: Meat esp. lamb meat, oats, eggs, nuts
Deficiency: Retarded growth
Excess: Enlarged liver - hepatomegaly
iodine
Functions: Thyroid gland function (controls how
quickly the body uses energy) and body metabolism