Vitamins Flashcards
(35 cards)
Vitamins
“Vital amines”
Organic molecules; DO NOT provide energy
Needed in minute amounts
Classified base on solubility in water
Functions
Metabolism
Growth & Development
Immune Function
Nerve Function
Blood Clotting
Bone Health
Vision
Skin Health
Antioxidants
Fat Soluble
A, D, E, K
Vitamin A Functions
Vision
Bone growth
Reproduction
Epithelial cell maintenance
Vitamin A Compounds
Retinol (alcohol) *Biologically active form
Retinal (aldehyde)
Retinoic acid
Carotenoids
Provide pigmentation to plants
* Carotenes (Vitamin A precursor)
* Xanthophylls
Vitamin A Toxicity (overconsumption)
Skeletal abnormalities & thickening of skin (Other symptoms may vary by species, age, physiological condition)
Vitamin D
Group of sterol compounds that regulate calcium & phosphorus metabolism. Formed by the irradiation of sterols in plants or in the skin
Two major forms of vitamin D are
1. Ergocalciferol (D2; activated plant form)
2. Cholecalciferol (D3; activated animal form)
Vitamin D Functions
Steroid hormone
Blood Ca regulation
Vitamin D Deficiency
Impaired bone mineralization
Abnormal skeletal development
Rickets (young animals; curved legs)
Osteomalacia (growing animals)
Vitamin E
Group of chemically related compounds called tocopherols & tocotrienols
α-tocopherol is the most active biological form
Vitamin E Functions
Free radical scavenger
Antioxidant function
Affects immune response
Vitamin E Deficiency
White muscle disease, crazy chick disease
Vitamin K
Group of compounds called the quinones
K1 (Phylloquinones): Found in plants
K2 (Menaquinones): Metabolically active form; synthesized by hindgut bacteria or converted from K1 or K3 in liver
K3 (Menadione): Synthetic form
Vitamin K Function
Required for the synthesis of prothrombin, a blood-clotting protein (Warfarin rat poison counteracts it)
Water Soluble
Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C
Vitamin B Complex
Thiamine (B1)
Riboflavin (B2)
Niacin (B3)
Pyridoxine (B6)
Pantothenic Acid (B5)
Biotin (B7)
Folic Acid (B9)
Thiamine (B1)
One molecule of pyrimidine & one of thiazole
Thiamine (B1) Functions
Pyruvate dehydrogenase
α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase
Thiamine (B1) Deficiency
Star Gazing
Riboflavin (B2) Functions
Flavin mononucleotide (FMN)
Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)
Riboflavin (B2) Deficiency
Curled toe paralysis
Niacin (B3)
Can be synthesized from tryptophan in most animals (except cats)
Niacin (B3) Function
Functions as a constituent of NAD & NADPH
