Exam - Folate

Question 1

supplement label

Answer 1

pre-natal nutrient

Question 2

what is folate a generic term for

Answer 2

both natural folates in foods and the synthetic form used in supplements/fortified food called folic acid

Question 3

folic acid

Answer 3

oxidized form of the vitamin - 100% bioavailable

Question 4

folate

Answer 4

reduced form of the vitamin - 50% bioavailable so must be broken down more before absorbed

Question 5

what are the 3 parts that compose folate

Answer 5

pterin ring
PABA
glutamic acid

Question 6

what can humans do with all 3 components of folate

Answer 6

synthesize all 3 but lack enzymes to conjugate them - essential nutrient

Question 7

what is folate critical for

Answer 7

production of nucleic acid precursors and several amino acids
methylation reactions

Question 8

where is folate critically important

Answer 8

bone marrow
developing fetus

Question 9

what do natural folates have

Answer 9

multiple glutamate residues that must be removed for absorption in its simplest form - monoglutamate structure

Question 10

what removes the glutamate residues

Answer 10

polyglutamate hydrolase

Question 11

why does folic acid not require digestion

Answer 11

it is already a mono glutamate structure

Question 12

how is folate absorbed

Answer 12

proton coupled folate transporter in small intestine

Question 13

what do natural folates and folic acids get converted into in the small intestine

Answer 13

bioactive compound 5-methyl THF

Question 14

how many glutamate residues does folic acid have

Answer 14

only 1

Question 15

how many glutamate resides does folate have

Answer 15

multiple

Question 16

what is the problem with how easy it is to exceed upper limit

Answer 16

can increase cancer risk by masking vitamin B12 which relates to rapidly dividing cells