trace/toxic elements, vitamins and nutrition

Question 1

define atomic emission spectroscopy

Answer 1

quantification of element by measuring intensity of emitted radiation (light) from aerosolized sample

Question 2

define atomic adsorption spectroscopy

Answer 2

determination of element quantity through absorption of optical radiation by free atoms in gas phase

Question 3

list typical light sources used in AAS

Answer 3

hallow cathode lamps (HCLs) and electrodeless discharge maps (EDLs)

Question 4

which elements are measured by flame AAS (FAAS)

Answer 4

copper, iron and Zinc

Question 5

list elements commonly measured in graphite tubes (flameless AAS)
- GFAAS

Answer 5

selenium, cadmium and lead

Question 6

describe aluminum

Answer 6

• ingestion, inhalation and skin
• bound to transferrin
• urine excretion
• interferese with enzymes

Question 7

describe arsenic

Answer 7

• metallic and non metallic
• food exposure (oysters)
• ingestion and inhalation
• organic cleared rapidly, inorgaic/methylated more toxic

Question 8

describe cadmium

Answer 8

• ingestion and inhalation (more inhalation) but cadmium rice
• urine excretion
• no role in physiology
• used in pesticides

Question 9

describe chromium

Answer 9

• ingestion, inhalation, and dermal
• 6+ easier to absorb but more toxic than 3+
• transported by albumin and transferrin
• 3+ is essential for insulin
• 6+ is oxidizing agent and toxic

Question 10

describe copper

Answer 10

• cofactor for reduction of iron in heme
• 10% of total body copper in hepatic
• ingestion inhalation and dermal
• albumin bound
• bile excretion
• metalloenzyme
• wilsons disease

Question 11

describe iron testing

Answer 11

• TIBC: all iron that could be bound (transferrin *1.18)
• percent saturation/transferrin saturation: TIBC to serum iron
• feritin: proportional to iron stores

Question 12

describe lead

Answer 12

• ingestion and inhalation
• absorbed mostly by RBC
• urine excretion

Question 13

describe manganese

Answer 13

• ingestion
• fat and bone found
• bile excretion
• important for metalloenzymes and enzyme activation

Question 14

describe mercury

Answer 14

• 0, 1, 2, states
• inhalation most common
• kidney storage
• no role in body

Question 15

describe molybdenum

Answer 15

• ingestion
• bound to alpha2-macroglobulin and RBC membrane
• urine excretion
• cofactor

Question 16

describe selenium

Answer 16

• ingestion
• urine excretion
• antioxidant for thyroid hormone synthesis

Question 17

describe zinc

Answer 17

• ingestion
• in muscle and bone (RBC in blood)
• fecal excretion
• enzyme activity, DNA/RNA, membrane structure and copper counteraction

Question 18

define vitamin deficiencyy

Answer 18

due to inadequate diet, GI absorption or competing organisms

Question 19

describe vitamin insufficiecny

Answer 19

increased metabolism requires intake and absorption at higher than normal levels

Question 20

lsit water solub,e vitamins

Answer 20

Bs , Cs and folic

Question 21

list fat soluble vitamins and describe characteristics

Answer 21

A (retinol), D, E and K
- dissolve in fat before absorbed into blood
- carried by LDL-vitamin E
- intestine storage

Question 22

describe vitamin B7 (biotin)

Answer 22

coenzyme for carboxyl unit
- hair loss, anorexia and depression

Question 23

describe vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)

Answer 23

hematopoiesis
- megaloblastic anemia, increased homocystene

Question 24

describe vitamin folate (folic acid)

Answer 24

coenzyme for one carbon transfer rxns
- megaloblastic anemias, increased homocystein

Question 25

describe vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Answer 25

- hydrogen transfer, redox, amino acid metabolism - scurvy, petechiae

Question 26

describe vitamin D

Answer 26

calcium and phosphorus metabolism - rickets and osteomalacia

Question 27

name the major site of vitamin absorption in the body

Answer 27

small intestine - large intestine for B12 and K metabolism

Question 28

describe 2 pathologies dependent on folate levels

Answer 28

- neural tube defects in infants - increased levels of atherosclerosis due to homocysteine turnover

Question 29

describe marasmus

Answer 29

low protein and calories (general wasting) - normal serum albumin

Question 30

describe kwashiorkor

Answer 30

low protein, normal calories - low serum albumin

Question 31

list outcomes of malnutriton

Answer 31

- increased mortality and morbidity - impaired wound healing - increased rate of infection - increased length of hospital stay

Question 32

list most useful laboratory assessment tool of malnutrition

Answer 32

selected protein markers (transferrin, pre albumin and retinol binding protein) - hematology assays - immunology - non protein chemistry (B12/folate, A, D)

Question 33

describe transthyretin (prealbumin) as protein marker for nutritional status

Answer 33

transports thyroxine (T4) and retinol

Question 34

what test is used in conjunction with protein markers for nutrional status

Answer 34

transthyretin and CRP - low transthyretin and normal CRP: protein malnutrition - CRP inc and low transthyretin: false decrease - CRP low and increase transthyretin: improving nutrition

Question 35

when is parenteral nutrion required

Answer 35

body wieght decreased more than 5% and illness present longer than 7 days - also when GI is not functioning

Question 36

what health effects are related to aluminum

Answer 36

encephalopathy, anemia, bone disease and progressive dementia

Question 37

what health effects are related to arsenic

Answer 37

acute and chronic states and fatal at low doses - poison

Question 38

what are the health effects of cadmium

Answer 38

affects liver, bone, immune system, blood