Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Antioxidants

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the characteristics, functions, deficiency symptoms, and sources of vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Antioxidant vitamins

Vitamins that protect cells from oxidative damage; they are mostly found in plants.

Co-enzyme

A helper molecule that assists enzymes in carrying out reactions.

Micronutrients

Nutrients that are needed in very small amounts.

Nutritionally essential

Refers to nutrients the body cannot make enough of, meaning they must come from the diet.

Vitamin A chemical forms

Retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid.

Carotenoids

Nutritional precursors of vitamin A.

Night blindness

The first symptom of vitamin A deficiency.

Keratinizing disease

A skin condition caused by vitamin A deficiency characterized by dry, scaly skin.

Vitamin D forms

D2 (ergocalciferol), D3 (cholecalciferol), calcidiol, and calcitriol.

Calcitriol

The active hormone form of vitamin D converted by the kidneys.

Hypercalcemia

A condition that can be caused by vitamin D overdose, involving elevated calcium levels.

Rickets and Osteomalacia

Diseases resulting from vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D Synthesis Path

Skin (UVB converts cholesterol to D3) → Liver (converted to calcidiol) → Kidneys (converted to calcitriol).

Alpha-tocopherol

The main form of vitamin E.

Vitamin E Primary Role

Functions as an antioxidant, protecting cell membranes (especially red blood cells) from oxidation.

Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone)

The form of vitamin K found in foods like spinach, kale, and collards.

Vitamin K2 (menaquinone)

The form of vitamin K found in egg yolks and liver, also made by gut bacteria.

VKDB

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding, which newborns receive an injection to prevent.

German: Koagulation

The origin of the letter 'K' in Vitamin K, meaning clotting.

Warfarin

A blood-thinning medication whose effects can be counteracted by vitamin K.

Lipid-soluble (Fat-soluble) vitamins

Vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are better absorbed when eaten with dietary fat.