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Enzyme
A protein that accelerates the rate of a chemical reaciton
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Coenzyme
A molecule that combines with an enzyme to activate it
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B-vitamis
- Important for energy metabolism
- -thiamin
- -riboflavin
- -niacin
- -vitamin B6
- -folate
- -vitamin B12
- -patothenic acid
- -biotin
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Thiamin
- -Required for carbohydrate metabolism
- -Beriberi: deficiency of thiamin resulting in muscle wasting and nerve damage, and heart failure
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Riboflavin
- -Part of coenzyme involved in oxidation-reduction reactions
- -Ariboflavinosis: riboflavin deficiency that causes sore throat and swollen mucous membranes
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Niacin
- -Coenzyme assist with metabolism of carbohydrates and fatty acids
- -Pellagra: severe niacin deficiency
- -4 Ds: dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, death
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Vitamin B6
- -Part of a coenzyme for more than 100 enzymes, assists in amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter, and assists in heme synthesis
- -Deficiency: anemia, elevated levels of homocysteine
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Folate
- -Involved in DNA synthesis, amino acid, metabolism, red blood cell synthesis
- -Deficiency: macrocytic anemia
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Neural Tube Defects
Required for cell division and proper formation of the neural tube (develops into the brain and spinal cord)
A woman's need for this dramatically increases during pregnancy
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Vascular Disease
Folate/Vitamin B 12 required for breakdown of homocysteine
- -Low levels may cause increased level of homocysteine
- -High homocysteine levels are associated w/greater risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease
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Anemia
"Without blood"; any condition of low hemoglobin levels
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Macrocytic anemia
- Severe folate deficiency
- enlarged red blood cells w/insufficient hemoglobin
- symptoms: weakness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, headache, shortness of breath
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Vitamin B12
- -Part of coenzymes for blood formation
- -Required for nerve functioning, homocysteine breakdown
- -Deficiency results in anemia, low energy, fatigue, shortness of breath, can lead to pernicious anemia
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Pernicious Anemia
- -Vitamin B12 deficiency; due to low acid production in stomach
- -Symptoms include pale skin, reduced energy, fatigue, neurological symptoms
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Pantothenic Acid
- -Component of coenzyme for fatty acid metabolism
- -Deficiency is very rare
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Biotin
- -Part of coenzymes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
- -Deficiency symptoms include hair thinning, loss of hair color, red rash on face
- -Deficiency is rare
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Choline
- -Vitamin-like substance that assists in homocysteine metabolism
- -Deficiency can lead to fat accumulation in the liver
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Iodine
-Critical for synthesis of thyroid hormones
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Too much iodine vs. Not enough iodine
Too much: Blocks synthesis of thyroid hormone -> results in goiter: enlarged thyroid
Too little: Hypothyroidism and goiter; cretinism: mental retardation from iodine deficiency during embryonic development
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Chromium
- -Assists insulin as it transports glucose from blood into cells
- -Chromium deficiency inhibits glucose absorption by body cells
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Manganese
- -Coenzyme involved in energy metabolism
- -Part of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase
- Toxicity impairs the nervous system, causing spams and tremors
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Sulfur
- -Component of thiamin and biotin
- -Stabilizes protein structure
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Blood
only fluid tissue in the body
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Functions of blood
- -Transport of oxygen and nutrients to cells
- -Removal of waste products from cells
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Components of Blood
- -Erythrocytes: red blood cells
- -Leukocytes: white blood cells of the immune system
- -Platelets: cell fragments that assist in blood clotting
- -Plasma: the fluid portion of the blood
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