Health Science Nutrition Chapter 8-

Vitamin- an organic micronutrient that can have a variety of functions in the body

Vitamin precursors (provitamins, previtamins)- substances in food or the body that cells can convert into active vitamins

• Fat-soluble vitamins- Vitamins A, D, E, and K

Water soluble vitamins- thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, folate, biotin, vitamin B-12, and Vitamin C

Retinol (performed vitamin A)- form of vitamin A that is found in animal sources of food

Carotenoids- yellow, orange, and red pigments in fruits and vegetables

Beta-carotene- carotenoid that the body can convert to vitamin A

Provitamin A- carotenoids that the body converts to vitamin A

Epithelial cells- cells that form protective linings of the body

Cornea- clear covering over the front of the eyeball

Carotenodermia- yellowish-orange discoloration of the skin that results from excess beta- carotene- found in the body

Teratogen- agent that causes birth defects

Rickets- vitamin D deficiency disorder in children 

Previtamin D- inactive form of vitamin D

Osteomalacia- adult rickets condition characterized by poorly mineralized (soft) bones 

Alpha- tocopherol- vitamin E

Coenzyme- small molecule that interacts with an enzyme, enabling the enzyme to function

• Power player B vitamins- Thiamin(B1), Riboflavin (B3), and Niacin(B2)

Beriberi- a thiamin deficiency disease

Ariboflavinosis- riboflavin deficiency disease

Pellagra- a niacin deficiency disease

Heme- iron containing portion of hemoglobin

Hemoglobin- the protein in red blood cells, that transports oxygen

Homocysteine- a toxic amino acid

Folic acid or food folate- forms of folate

Megaloblastic anemia- a condition characterized by fewer and abnormal blood cells

Intrinsic factor (IF)- a substance produced in the stomach that helps vitamin B-12 absorption

Neural tube- embryonic structure that eventually develops into the brain and spinal cord

Spina bifida- the type of neural tube defect in which the spine doesn't form properly before birth, and it fails to enclose the spinal cord

Pernicious anemia- a condition caused by the lack of intrinsic factor

Ascorbic acid- vitamin C

Collagen- fibrous protein that gives strength to connective tissue

Carcinogen- an agent that causes cancer

Cancer- a group of diseases characterized by abnormal cell behavior

Scurvy- a vitamin C deficiency disease