Vitamins Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 2 main categories of vitamins
A
- fat-soluble → have non-polar hydrocarbon chains
- water-soluble → have polar groups and can form Hydrogen bonds with water
2
Q
What factors affect the water solubility of vitamins
A
- Water solubility of any organic molecule depends on how many hydrogen bonds they form (the more H bonds → the more soluble)
- Long alkyl chains decrease water solubility but increase fat solubility
3
Q
Outline vitamin A
A
- it is fat soluble
- it is important for low-light vision
4
Q
What is the deficiency of vitamin A
A
night blindness
5
Q
Outline vitamin C
A
- it is water soluble, contains multiple OH groups and thus forms a lot of H bonds, due to its solubility, the body does not retain it for long periods, excreted in urine
- it acts as an antioxidant and prevents free radical damage
- they are sensitive to heat which causes them to lose their biological effect
6
Q
What is the deficiency of vitamin C
A
scurvy
7
Q
Outline vitamin D
A
- it is fat soluble
- it stimulates the uptake of calcium ions and is important for healthy bones and teeth
- it is made in the body by the action of sunlight on the skin
8
Q
What is the deficiency of vitamin D
A
rickets
9
Q
What are the causes of vitamin deficiencies
A
- Lack of distribution of global resources
- Depletion of nutrients in the soil
- Lack of education about balanced diets
10
Q
What are the solutions to vitamin deficiencies
A
- Taking nutritional supplements
- Genetically modifying foods to increase vitamin content
- Educating people about balanced diets
