DAT Biology 2.3

inorganic ions that the human body needs to function found inside and outside of cells

minerals

main functions of minerals:

bone development

establishing electrochemical gradients for muscle and nerve function

component of hemoglobin in RBCs and chlorophyll

organic molecules that the human body needs to function

vitamins

main categories of vitamins

water-soluble and fat-soluble

fat-soluble: deposits as body fat and over consumption can be unhealthy

water-soluble: flushed out of body in urine if in excess

Vitamin B

8 in total

are coenzymes or precursor to coenzymes in metabolic processes

important for blood cell synthesis

Vitamin C

necessary for collagen synthesis (connective tissue formation)

deficiency leads to scurvy

scurvy is the collagen structure being less stable leading to weakened connective tissue

what are the water-soluble vitamins?

Vitamin B, C

what are the fat-soluble vitamins?

A, D, E, K

Vitamin A

vision (visual pigmentation) and maintaining epithelium of skin

Vitamin D

bone health by regulating proper calcium and phosphorous levels by promoting its absorption from the intestine

synthesized when UV light from sunlight strikes skin

deficieny of which vitamin for scurvy

C

Vitamin D deficiency caused by

lack of exposure to sunlight

Vitamin E

important antioxidant

antioxidant: prevents cell damage by neutralizing free radicals

free radicals:

antioxidant

prevents cell damage by neutralizing free radicals

free radical

highly unstable, unpaired electrons that damage cells

Vitamin K

for blood clotting

necessary to produce proteins involved in clotting proces

what are the micromolecules?

vitamins and minerals

where can you get micromolecules?

in one’s diet, the body cannot produce essential levels by itself

What mineral makes it an important component of hemoglobin?

iron