Week 6 Flashcards
(15 cards)
Describe the distribution of water in the body
Intracellular fluid: within cells, high in potassium and phosphate, makes up 2/3 of body water
Extracellular fluid: makes up 1/3 of body water, consists of interstitial fluid (between cells, high in sodium and chloride) and intravascular fluid (within blood vessels, plasma)
What are the main functions of water in the body?
Transport: Carries nutrients and waste products
Metabolism: Participates in metabolic reactions
Solvent: Dissolves minerals, vitamins, amino acids, glucose, etc.
Lubrication: Cushions joints, eyes, spinal cord, and amniotic fluid
Temperature: Regulates body temperature
Circulation: Maintains blood volume
How does the body regulate fluid balance?
- ADH is released in response to concentrated blood, stimulating kidneys to reabsorb water.
- The Renin-Angiotensin system: Renin activates angiotensin, causing vascular constriction and aldosterone release, leading to sodium and water reabsorption by the kidneys
What is the role of electrolytes in the body?
Definition: Salts that dissociate in water to produce ions, controlling water movement in and out of cells by osmosis.
Key Electrolytes: Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphate, bicarbonate.
What is osmosis and its role in the body?
- Movement of water from low to high solute concentration. Water follows electrolytes to balance concentrations.
Are vitamins and minerals essential nutrients?
Vitamins - No
Minerals - Yes
How do transport proteins in the cell membrane help maintain fluid balance?
They regulate ion movement, with water following ions by osmosis. The sodium-potassium pump is a key example.
What are the main roles, food sources and deficiency symptoms of Sodium?
Sodium is essential for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and fluid balance. It is found in salt, processed foods.
Deficiency is very rare (possible in extreme dysentry)
What are the main roles, deficiency symptoms, and food sources of Chloride?
Main Roles: Major anion of extracellular fluid, fluid and electrolyte balance, component of stomach hydrochloric acid.
Deficiency Symptoms: Rare but can lead to death. Temporary deficiency can occur in vomiting, diarrhea, and heavy sweating.
Food Sources: Found in table salt and many processed foods. Diets rarely lack chloride.
What are the main roles, deficiency symptoms, and food sources of Potassium?
Main Roles: Potassium maintains normal fluid and electrolyte balance, supports cell integrity, assists in nerve impulse transmission and muscle contractions, and maintains the heartbeat.
Deficiency Symptoms: Symptoms include muscular weakness, paralysis, confusion, increased blood pressure, salt sensitivity, kidney stones, bone turnover, irregular heartbeats, and glucose intolerance.
Food Sources: Found in all intact animal and plant cells, with fruits and vegetables having a high potassium-to-sodium ratio. Processing of foods reduces potassium content.
What are the main roles, deficiency symptoms, and food sources of Calcium?
Main Roles: Calcium is crucial for bone and teeth formation, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, blood clotting, hormone secretion, and enzyme activation.
Deficiency Symptoms: Main condition is osteoporosis. Other symptoms include muscle spasms (tetany) and poor bone development in early life.
Food Sources: Found in dairy products, fish bones, fortified foods, and green leafy vegetables.
What are the main roles, deficiency symptoms, and food sources of Phosphorus?
Main Roles: Vital for DNA, RNA, and energy metabolism. Constitutes cell membranes and buffers systems.
Deficiency Symptoms: Rare, but may cause bone loss, weakness, and pain due to drug interactions.
Sources: Abundant in animal tissues, milk, plants, legumes, yogurt, cheese, sunflower seeds, and liver.
What are the main roles, deficiency symptoms, and food sources of Magnesium?
Main Roles: Magnesium is involved in bone mineralization, protein building, enzyme action, muscle contraction, maintenance of teeth, immune system function, blood clotting, and nerve impulse transmission.
Deficiency Symptoms: Symptoms include weakness, confusion, convulsions, muscle movements of the eye and face, hallucinations, swallowing difficulties, and growth failure in children.
Food Sources: Found in green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and some water supplies.
What are the main roles, deficiency symptoms, and food sources of Sulphate?
Main Roles: Sulphur is a part of certain amino acids, vitamins (thiamin and biotin), and insulin. It helps form disulfide bridges in proteins, affecting their 3D shape.
Deficiency Symptoms: No known deficiency states.
Food Sources: Most sulphur in the body is found in proteins, hence it is abundant in protein-rich foods.
What are the symptoms and prevention of Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis can be prevented by adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, physical activity, and minimizing bone loss.
Symptoms include decreased bone mass and increased fracture risk.
