VITAMINS & MINERALS

1. Write down the definition classification and functions of vitamins.

Answer: Definitions of Vitamins:

• Vitamins are vital accessory food factors present in minute quantities is various food substances, required by the body in very small quantity and act as catalyst in various body processes which is essential for normal growth and development of the body.

• Vitamins are a class of organic compounds categorized as essential nutrients which are required by the body in very small amounts not for yield energy but for enable the body to use other nutrients must be provided by food.

• Vitamins are organic chemical compounds and essential micronutrients. It does not yield energy and must be provided by food. Classification of Vitamins:

a. Fat soluble vitamins :(Vitamin A,D,E & K) Vitamins are two types:

b. Water soluble vitamins :(Vitamin B1,B2,B3,B12,C)

Functions of Vitamins:

a. Prevention of nutritional blindness. Vitamin A

b. Helps to growth and development, especially skeletal growth.

c. Anti Infective.

a. Promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorous.

Vitamin D

b. Helps the growth of the bone by stimulating the alkaline phosphate at the growing end of the bone.

c. Calcification of bones and formation of teeth.

a. Act an most potent anti oxidant.

Vitamin E

b. Anti-sterility and concerned with the functional integrity of muscles.

a. Helps in synthesis of blood clotting factors in liver.

Vitamin K

a. It is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrate and growth of the body.

Vitamin B1

a. A coenzyme in the metabolism of amino acids.

Vitamin B2

a. Essential for protein metabolism.

Vitamin B6

a. Regulates calcium metabolisms essential for blood formation.

Vitamin B12

a. Role to play in tissue oxidation.

Vitamin C

b. Prevention of common cold.

c. Essential for blood formation and blood clotting.

d. Maintains functional status of adrenal cortex.

e. Helps in the healing of wound.

2. Write down the definition classification & functions of minerals. Answer: Definition : The elements are required for growth , repair and regulation of vital body function are called mineral .

a. Major Minerals: These are present in the body in large amount. e.g, Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium and Phosphorus etc.

Classification of Mineral:

b. Trace Minerals: These are the elements requires by the body in quantities of less than a few a milligrams per day ,e.g, Iron ,Iodine,fluorine,zinc,copper,cobalt,Nickel,Tin and silicon etc.

a. Formation of bones and teeth.

Functions of Calcium

b. Coagulation of blood.

c. Control many life processes such as : Muscle contraction , cardiac action, milk production and cell division.

a. Maintain osmotic pressure in blood and other tissue fluids.

Functions of Na

b. Essential for the maintenance of pH ions concentration.

a. Essential for the normal metabolism o calcium and potassium.

Functions of Magnesium

a. Essential for the bone and teeth formation.

Functions of Phosphorus

b. Also plays an important part in all metabolisms.

a. Formation of hemoglobin.

Functions of iron

b. Brain development and function.

c. “Oxygen transport” and cell respiration are the main function of iron.

a. Synthesis of the thyroid hormones –thyroxin (T4) and trilodothyronine (T3).

Functions of Iodine

a. Essential for normal mineralization of bones.

Functions of Fluorine

b. Essential for formation of dental anamel.

a. Zinc is active in the metabolism of glucides and proteins.

Functions of Zinc

b. Synthesis of insulin by the pancreas.

c. Required for the immunity function.

Functions of Copper

a. Copper facilitates the absorption of iron.