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Do you remember how vitamins are classified, by solubility in either water or fat? Let's take a look first at the water-soluble vitamins…
Water-soluble vitamins as a group tend to function as reactive catalysts in a myriad of chemical reactions necessary to sustain life. Some have other interesting functions such as antioxidants in the case of ascorbic acid, and cholesterol lowering properties in the case of niacin. Let's see how much you remember about the functions of water-soluble vitamins. Try to match the functions listed below with the corresponding vitamin.
Click on the micronutrient above to jump to that section.INSTRUCTIONS: Match the vitamins shown below with some of their respective functions by dragging the words at left to the correct match at right. If your answer is incorrect, the word will return to the left.
Match the vitamin with the source by clicking on the pictures below.
Good! Now let's take a look at the fat-soluble vitamins. Fat soluble vitamins function generally as antioxidants as in the case of vitamin A and vitamin E, but vitamin D acts like a hormone in that it regulates calcium metabolism. Vitamin K is a precursor for blood clotting mechanisms. All of these vitamins need enough fat in the blood to be absorbed and carried to cells in the body in order for them to function. This is one important function of fat as mentioned earlier.
INSTRUCTIONS: Drag a letter from the right to a Vitamin box at left. A response will appear at the bottom of the study question to show whether your answer is correct or incorrect.
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INSTRUCTIONS: Match the minerals shown below with some of their respective functions by dragging the words at left to the correct match at right. If your answer is incorrect, the word will return to the left.
Next is a good summary table for you to review sources and functions of vitamins.
Content questions should be directed to: Marilyn.S.Edwards, Ph.D., R.D.
or Maggie McQuiggan, M.S.
Copyright © 2004 - present, All Rights Reserved.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Created by Beth Ardoin, M.Ed. in Academic Technology's Multimedia Scriptorium
Clinical
Point: Carotenoids, which are precursors to vitamin A, are not toxic
if taken in large amounts as retinoids are. Ingestion of high levels
of carotenoids can cause skin discoloration as this fat soluble nutrient
is stored in fat, including subcutaneous fat, but is not converted to
vitamin A unless needed.
