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molecular basis of disease > Nutrients > Flashcards

Nutrients Flashcards

1
Q

What is a nutrient and what are the 6 main groups of nutrients

A

a substance/chemical that is essential for life and reproduction

6 main groups:
- carbohydrate
- lipids
- protein
- vitamins
- minerals
- water

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2
Q

What are essential nutrients

A

these are nutrients that are not produced by the body and needs to be obtained from an external source (food) this is because:
1. organism cannot synthesise
2. organism can produce but not in sufficient quantities

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3
Q

what are the 4 most common micronutrient deficiencies

A

iron
iodine
vitamin A
zinc

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4
Q

what are the 8 micronutrients which are essential for crops and what are the effects of deficiency

A

boron
chlorine
copper
iron
manganese
molybdenum
nickel
zinc

deficiency of one or more of these affects both yield and quality of crops

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5
Q

What is the link between deficient crops and human deficiencies of nutrients

A

low trace elements in stable grains of essential nutrients for humans can lead to deficiency

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6
Q

What are the 2 groups of nutrients

A

Macronutrients
- large quantities needed (10-100g) per day
- carbohydrates, proteins and lipids

micronutrients
- minute quantities (micro/milligrams)
- vitamins, minerals and trace elements

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7
Q

what are catabolic and anabolic molecules and what is the link between the two

A

catabolic
- metabolic pathways that break down molecules into smaller units
- carbohydrates, lipids and proteins

anabolic:
- chemical reactions that synthesise molecules out of broken down ones

link:
- recycling of complex molecules
- both are balanced to help the body function

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8
Q

What are the 2 forms that carbohydrates are present in

A

simple carbohydrates:
- glucose
- fructose
- other sugars

compound carbohydrates:
- starch in plants
- glycogen in animals in the muscle and liver (polymers of glucose)
- metabolised to CO2 + H2O + energy

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9
Q

What is the structure of glycogen

A

branched biopolymer
- linear chains of glucose residues
- chains branching off every 10 glucoses

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10
Q

What is the structure of starch and what foods can are high in starch

A

structure
- large number of glucose units joined by glycosidic bonds

foods:
- potatoes
- wheat
- maize (corn)
- rice

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11
Q

What are the function of proteins to the body and what are they made from

A

proteins build body parts they are essential for:
- growth
- repair of worn-out tissues
- resistance against infections

made from amino acids

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12
Q

what are the 9 essential amino acids

A

histidine
isoleucine
leucine
lysine
methionine
phenylalanine
threonine
tryptophan
valine

all required from diet

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13
Q

proteins are found in the in animal and plant foods what is the difference between the two

A

animal proteins:
- complete proteins as they contain all amino acids

plant proteins:
- incomplete proteins as some are low in methionine, lysine and tryptophan
- there needs to be supplemented with grains, nuts, seeds and legumes

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14
Q

Lipids chemical properties, examples and what are they essential for

A

chemical property
- water insoluble (hydrophobic)

example:
- triglycerides
- phospholipids
- sterols (cholesterol)

essential for:
- brain
- nerves
- hormones
- absorption, transport and storage of fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K)

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15
Q

Triglycerides can be a fat or an oil depending on the bonds it has fats have what type of bonds?

A

saturated or monounsaturated (saturated = single bonds, unsaturated = contain at least 1 double or triple bond)

solidifies easy = solid at room temp

found in land animal sources

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16
Q

Triglycerides can be a fat or an oil depending on the bonds it has. Oils have what type of bonds?

A

polyunsaturated fatty acids (multiple double or triple bonds)

harder to solidify therefore liquid at room temperature

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17
Q

triglycerides as oils at room temp can be found in what sources

A

aquatic animals
- polyunsaturated fatty acids and their lipids

plant sources:
- mustard oil
- soybean oil
- sunflower oil
- corn oil

however:
- coconut and palm oil contain large portions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids therefore are solid at room temperature

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18
Q

what are the 2 groups of micronutrients

A

vitamins and minerals

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19
Q

Why are vitamins needed

A

cannot be synthesised in the body and are essential for metabolism and utilisation of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids

they also function as coenzymes

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20
Q

Which vitamins are water soluble and which are fat soluble

A

water soluble
- B complex vitamins (B1, B2)
- vitamin C

lipid soluble
- A
- D
- E
- K

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21
Q

What is the chemical names for Vitamin A

A

There are 3 forms of Vitamin A :
- retinols
- beta-carotenes
- carotenoids

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22
Q

What is Vitamin A needed for?

A

skin, hair, eyes (healthy vision), increases resistance to infection ( used in T cell differentiation)

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23
Q

Vitamin A deficiency can cause:

A

xerosis cutis (dry skin)
- retinoic acid needed for a growth factor for epithelial cells and control gene transcription

low resistance to infection

eye disorders (vit A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness

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24
Q

What are the different eye disorders which Vit A deficiency cause

A

xerophthalmia (loss of tears)
- loss of goblet cells in conjunctiva
- no mucus therefore debris accumulates in the eye forming Bitot’s spots due to dryness

keratomalacia
- atrophy of the corneal epithelial cells
- opaque cornea and blindness

night blindness
- retinal (Vit A) and opsin form rhodopsin in retina
- rhodopsin is a pigment for low light detection

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25
Q

Vitamin A toxicity (consumption of too much Vitamin A can be described from the case study of Douglas Mawson exploring the Antarctic with Mertz and Ninnis. How did vitamin A toxicity occur in this case study?

A
  1. Ninnis fell through a crevasse with sled and food
  2. forcing Mertz and Mawson to feed on their sled dogs for 10 days
  3. Husky’s liver contain extremely high levels of Vitamin A (100g is toxic to humans)
    causing liver damage to Mertz and Mawson
  4. between them they consumed 6kg
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26
Q

Vitamin A toxicity (consumption of too much Vitamin A can be described from the case study of Douglas Mawson exploring the Antarctic with Mertz and Ninnis. What were the symptoms they faced and why did Mertz suffer more?

A

symptoms:
- dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, mucosal fissuring, skin/hair/nail loss, yellowing of the eyes/skin
- irrationality

mertz suffered more due to finding muscle tissue tough and difficult to eat therefore at more of the liver and softer tissues
- lost the will to move and went mad
- he died before making it to the base

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27
Q

Vitamin A toxicity (consumption of too much Vitamin A can be described from the case study of Douglas Mawson exploring the Antarctic with Mertz and Ninnis. What is the name for vitamin A toxicity and what does it affect?

A

Hypervitaminosis A

  • increases bone resorption: bone fractures
  • affects metabolism of other fat soluble vitamins (D, E and K)
  • can disrupt mito function
28
Q

What is the chemical name for Vitamin B1, where is it mostly found what is it essential for?

A

thiamine, found especially in the liver

essential for tissues with high oxidative metabolism (nervous system and heart)

involved in metabolism of acetyl CoA in mito
- when phosphorylated thiamine turns into its active form (thiamin pyrophosphate TPP)
- involved in turning pyruvate into acetyl CoA and in krebs cycle

29
Q

B1 deficiency is caused by diets high in what food and what does it cause?

A

diets of mostly white rice and alcohols
- alcoholics have poor diet due to carbs coming from alcohol

causes:
- depression
- poor appetite
- skin problems

long term causes beriberi

30
Q

What are the two types of beriberi and their symptoms

A
  1. dry beriberi ( neurological degeneration)
    - numbness and confusion
  2. wet beriberi (cardiovascular disease)
    - tachycardia, cardiomegaly and congestive heart failure

other symptoms:
- muscular wasting and edema

31
Q

Which food are rich in Vitamin B1

A

seeds
nuts
legumes
bread
meat

32
Q

What is the chemical name for Vitamin B3 and what foods is it found in

A

chemical name:
- niacin and nicotinic acid

foods:
- meats
- seeds
- cereals
- vegemite

33
Q

What is the role of Vit B3 and the end product which can be used by the body

A

converts carbohydrates into glucose for energy production

pathway to end product:
Niacin → nicotinamide → nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and NADP

34
Q

What is the function of the end product of Vit b3

A

NAD and NADP are co-factors in enzymatic reactions (catabolism) required for ATP production

35
Q

What is the function of Vit B3 in relation to cholesterol

A

B3 raises HDL cholesterol levels
- HDL are good cholesterols which take LDL’s to liver to be excreted

Protect against cardiovascular disease by lowering blood lipids

36
Q

What can Vitamin B3 deficiency cause

A
  • pellagra
  • light sensitivity
  • skin lesions (starts looking like sunburn but them blackens and peels over time)
  • confusion and aggression
  • ataxia
  • dilated cardiomyopathy
  • death
37
Q

What are the symptoms of Pellagra

A
  • inflamed skin (dermatitis)
  • diarrhoea
  • dementia
38
Q

What is the chemical name of vitamin B12

A

cobalamin

39
Q

What foods are a source of vitamin B12

A
  • fish
  • soy beans
  • fortified cereals
  • shellfish
  • eggs
  • red meat
  • poultry
  • liver
  • crustaceans
  • cheese
  • dairy
  • tofu
40
Q

Is vitamin B12 water or fat soluble

A

water soluble

41
Q

What is the 3 functions of vitamin b12

A
  1. cofactor in DNA synthesis and fatty acid and amino acid metabolism
  2. normal functioning of nervous system
    • has a role in the synthesis of myelin
  3. maturation of developing red blood cells in the bone marrow
42
Q

What does deficiency of vitamin B12 from diet cause

A

pernicious anemia (reduced number of red blood cells)
- DNA synthesis is inhibited due to lack of vitamin B12

causes:
- tiredness
- neurological and heart problems

43
Q

What can cause the malabsorption of Vitamin B12 leading to deficiency

A
  1. atrophic gastritis
    • thinning of stomach lining
  2. conditions that affects the small intestine
    • crohn’s disease, celiac disease, bacterial growth, parasites
  3. immune system disorders
    • Graves disease or Lupus
44
Q

What is the molecular basis of pernicious anaemia

A
  1. intrinsic factor released by parietal cells which binds to vitamin B12 to be absorbed in the gut
    - with no intrinsic factor no vitamin B12 can be absorbed

Lack of intrinsic factor is caused by antibodies against:
1. intrinsic factor itself inhibiting the binding to vitamin B12
2. H+/K+ ATPase in parietal cell in plasma membrane (destructs cell therefore no intrinsic factor is released)

45
Q

What is the chemical name for Vitamin C

A

Ascorbic acid

46
Q

What is the function of Vitamin C

A
  1. growth and repair of tissues
  2. collagen production
  3. prevents auto-inactivation of lysyl and prolyl hydroxylase (2 enzymes in collagen biosynthesis)
  4. antioxidant
47
Q

What is the best source of vitamin C

A

Citrus fruits

48
Q

What does vitamin C deficiency

A

Scurvy (ECM disease)
- bleeding gums
- bruising
- low infection resistance
- changes in personality
- lack of ability to heal wounds

49
Q

What is the chemical name for Vitamin D and is it fat or water soluble

A

Calciferol

fat soluble

50
Q

What does vitamin D act as

A

a hormone

51
Q

What is the function of vitamin D

A

stimulates Ca2+ and PO4(3-) absorption in intestine

52
Q

How can Vitamin D be synthesised from sunlight

A

cholesterol derivatives in skin when exposed to sunlight can synthesise pre vit D

however must be activated in the liver and kidneys by hydroxylation to vitamin D first before the body can use

53
Q

What are good food sources for vitamin D

A
  • eggs
  • salmon
  • cheese
  • sunlight
  • shiitake mushroom
  • fortified foods
54
Q

What is the pathway of vitamin D from synthesis to function

A

1.a. precursor in skin (7-dehydrocholesterol) exposed to sunlight forms vitamin D3
1.b. dietary vitamin D becomes vitamin D3 when ingested

  1. both go through to liver when enzymatically a hydroxyl group is added forming 25-OH-vitamin D3
  2. goes to kidney where another hydroxyl group is added forming 1,25-OH2-vitamin D3 (active vitamin D)
  3. Travels to intestine to promote Ca2+ and PO4(3-) absorption
55
Q

What does vitamin D deficiency cause

A
  1. rickets (in still developing children)
    - delayed growth
    - bowed legs
    - weakness and pain in spine, pelvis and legs
  2. Brittle bones
    - bone tenderness and susceptibility to fractures
  3. Hypocalcemia
    - low blood calcium levels
    - causes muscle spasms
  4. dental problems
56
Q

What is the chemical name for Vitamin E and is it water or fat soluble

A

tocopherol or tocotrienols

fat soluble

57
Q

Vitamin E is an ….

A

antioxidant

58
Q

What are good food sources for Vitamin E

A

-sunflow, corn and soybean oil
- margarine

59
Q

As Vitamin E is an antioxidant what is its role in the body

A

scavenges free radicals in membranes and are able to donate a hydrogen

tocotrienols also function to protect neurons from damage via antioxidant

60
Q

How is vitamin E deficiency caused if it is only required in really low levels

A

caused by abnormalities in dietary fat absorption

61
Q

What symptoms does vitamin E deficiency cause

A
  • neurological problems
  • neuromuscular problems
  • anaemia (due to oxidative damage of red blood cells)
  • muscle and heart problems
  • nose bleeds
  • skin infections
62
Q

What is the chemical name for vitamin K and is it fat or water soluble

A

Phytonadione

fat soluble

63
Q

What are good food sources of Vitamin K

A

Green leafy vegetables
- spinach
- kale
- lettuce

whole wheat products

animal foods
- meat
- fish
- eggs

Oils
- olive
- canola
- soybean

64
Q

What is the role of Vitamin K in the body

A
  1. needed for complete synthesis of prerequisite proteins for blood coagulation
  2. controlling the binding of calcium in bones and other tissues
    - modification of proteins allows for the binding of calcium ions
65
Q

What are the symptoms of Vitamin K deficiency

A

uncontrolled bleeding
- bruising, gum bleeding, nose bleeding
stomach pains
weakened bones (osteoporosis)
calcification of arteries and other soft tissues
broad purpura (bleeding under skin)

molecular basis of disease (17 decks)

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