Lecture #19 - Minerals

Question 1

What are the physical properties of minerals?

Answer 1

1.Solid crystalline substances
2. inorganic
3. not broken down by digestion
4. cannot be destroyed by heat, cold, light, exposure to chemicals, or mechanical force.

Question 2

What are the physiological functions of minerals?

Answer 2

1. Regulate osmotic properties of body fluids
2. electrical charges allow nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction

3.provide hardness to bones and teeth, serve as cofactors in metalloenzymes.

4. Involved in the conversion of food into energy (don’t provide energy themselves but are required to break down things like fat which give you energy)
   Chromium, manganese, sulfur, selenium, iodine

Question 3

Difference between macro and micro (trace) minerals?

Answer 3

Macro minerals are required in amounts greater than 100 mg/day and constitute more than 0.1% of total body mass. Micro (trace) minerals are required in amounts less than 100 mg/day.

Question 4

What are “essential electrolytes” and their roles?

Answer 4

Help maintain hydration and muscle function.

Question 5

why are minerals referred to as “blood fortifiers”?

Answer 5

Support erythropoiesis and blood function.

Question 6

why are minerals referred to as “bone builders”?

Answer 6

Involved in maintenance of bone structure/function.