Water Soluble Vitamins

Question 1

Where are water soluble vitamins stored?

Answer 1

They are stored in water

Question 2

What are the water soluble vitamins?

Answer 2

B1, B2, B3, B5, B7, B7, B12 and C

Question 3

What is the function of vitamin C (ascorbic acid)?

Answer 3

• involved in production of collagen where it is used in the structure of connective tissue and bone
• aids wound healing and iron absorption
• prevents certain cancers & heart diseases sue to antioxidant properties
• increases body’s resistance to infection
• essential in manufacture of cell walls of blood vessels
• important for functioning of nervous system

Question 4

What are the symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency?

Answer 4

• scurvy (poor wound healing and bleeding gums)
• lower resistance to infection
• anaemia

Question 5

What are the functions of vitamin B1 (thiamine)?

Answer 5

• involved in the release of energy from macro-nutrients
• important for the brain and nerves (which use glucose for their energy needs)
• maintains muscle tone

Question 6

What are the symptoms of a vitamin B1 deficiency?

Answer 6

• beriberi
• alcoholics sometimes develop deficiency which affects brain functions

Question 7

What are the functions of vitamin B2 (riboflavin)?

Answer 7

• involved in energy release, especially from fat, protein & carbohydrates
• affects growth rate
• maintains skin around nose and mouth
• maintains nervous system
• helps with enzyme functioning

Question 8

What are the symptoms of a vitamin B2 deficiency?

Answer 8

• changes to mucous membrane and skin around mouth and nose
• conjunctivitis (eye disease)
• cheilosis (swollen tongue, cracks in corners of mouth and edges of lips)

Question 9

What are the functions of vitamin B3 (niacin, nicotinic acid)?

Answer 9

• involved in the release of energy
• necessary for healthy skin
• maintains function of nervous and digestive systems

Question 10

What are the symptoms of a vitamin B3 deficiency?

Answer 10

• pellegra
• diarrhoea
• dermatitis
• dementia
• death

Question 11

What are the functions of vitamin B3 (pyridoxine)?

Answer 11

• metabolises proteins
• promotes growth and formation of new cells

Question 12

What are the symptoms of a vitamin B3 deficiency?

Answer 12

• retarded growth
• dermatitis

Question 13

What are the functions of vitamin B9 (folic acid/folate/folacin)?

Answer 13

• involved in the formation of blood cells
• reduced risk of neural tube defects (spina bifida) in babies
• required with B12 for formation of red blood cells in bone marrow
• crucial for DNA development

Question 14

What are the symptoms of a vitamin B9 (folic acid) deficiency?

Answer 14

• megaloblastic anaemia
• deficiency in pregnant women can cause incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord of the foetus

Question 15

What are the functions of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)?

Answer 15

• necessary for proper formation of blood cells and nerve fibres
• important for functioning of digestive tract

Question 16

What are the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency?

Answer 16

• pernicious anaemia (pale, fatigue, weak, heart fluttering)

Question 17

What are the general functions of most B-group vitamins?

Answer 17

• release energy from carbohydrates, fats and proteins
• assist the nervous system in working properly
• maintain normal growth