Minerals

Question 1

What are minerals and name the 4 main minerals and 2 trace elements.

Answer 1

Metals that are chemically different to Vitamins
Minerals: Iron, calcium, phosphorus, sodium
Trace elements: Flouride, iodide

Question 2

What are good sources of iron?

Answer 2

• Dark green vegetables, meat (liver + kidney), pulses.

Question 3

What are the functions of iron?

Answer 3

• Produces haemoglobin which carries oxygen in the red blood cells.

Question 4

What happens if a person is deficient in iron?

Answer 4

• Iron anaemia - (red blood cell or haemoglobin deficiency)

- Fatigue - no haemoglobin = no oxygen = less respiration = less energy.

Question 5

What are good sources of phosphorus?

Answer 5

Every food

- Protein rich foods (meat, egg, fish), nuts, beans, dairy

Question 6

What are the functions of phosphorus?

Answer 6

• Works with calcium to harden bones and teeth
• Clotting of blood
• Muscle functioning

Question 7

What happens if a person is deficient in phosphorus?

Answer 7

• Very unlikely
• Weak muscles and bones
• Tiredness, depression

Question 8

What are good sources of calcium?

Answer 8

• Dairy products, leafy green veg, tinned fish, milk, cheese, almonds, hard water

Question 9

What are the functions of calcium?

Answer 9

• Work with phosphorus to harden bones and teeth
• Blood clotting
• Muscle functioning
• Heart regulation

Question 10

What happens if a person is deficient in calcium?

Answer 10

• Rickets
• Bone softening
• Osteoporosis
• Osteomalacia
• Slow blood clotting

Question 11

What are good sources of sodium?

Answer 11

• Salt, salty foods, bacon, cheese, most foods

Question 12

What are the functions of sodium?

Answer 12

• Maintains water balance

- Nerve transmission

Question 13

What happens if a person is deficient is sodium?

Answer 13

• Muscle weakness
• People in hot climates need more
• Nausea

Question 14

What are good sources of flouride?

Answer 14

• Fish, tea, toothpaste, flouridated water/

Question 15

What are the functions of flouride in the water?

Answer 15

• Strengthens teeth against decay.

- Strengthens enamel

Question 16

What happens if a person is deficient in flouride?

Answer 16

• Weak teeth and enamel leading to tooth decay.

Question 17

What are good sources of iodine?

Answer 17

• Seafood, dairy and vegetables

Question 18

What are the functions of iodine?

Answer 18

• Hormone production

- Control metabolic rate

Question 19

What happens if a person is deficient in iodine?

Answer 19

• Goitre as thyroxine is reduced so thyroid gland swells

- Tiredness, weight gain