| Term | Definition |
|---|
| vitamin | compound needed in small amounts in the diet to help regulate and support chemical reactions and processes in the body. |
| fat-soluble vitamins | vitamins that dissolve in fat and such substances as ether and benzene but not readily in water. These vitamins are A, D, E, and K. |
| water-soluble vitamins | vitamins that dissolve in water. theses vitamins are B and C |
| coenzyme | a compound that combines with an inactive enzyme to form a catalytically active form. they also aid in enzyme function. |
| megadose | intake of a nutrient beyond estimates of needs to prevent a deficiency or what would be found in a balanced diet; 2-10 times human needs is a starting point for such a dosage. |
| retinoids | chemical forms of preformed vitamin a; one source is animal foods |
| carotenoids | pigment materials in fruits and vegetables that range in color from yellow to orange to red; three of the various carotenoids yield vitamin a. many are antioxidants |
| provitamin | a substance that can be made into a vitamin |
| night blindness | a vitamin a deficiency condition in which the retine cannot adjust to low amounts of light. |
| mucus | a thick fluid secreted by many cells throughout the body. it contains a compound that has both carbohydrate and protein parts. it acts as a lubricant and means of protection for cells |
| xerohthalmia | literally "dry eye". caused of blindness that results from a vitamin A deficiency. a lack of mucus, which leaves it at a greater risk of damage from surface dirt and bacteria. |
| macular degeneration | a painless condition leading to disruption of the central part of the retina and blurred vision |
| epithelial cells | the cells that line the outside of thebody and the inside of all external passages within it, such as the GI tract. |
| gene expression | use of DNA info on a gene to produce a protein. This is a major determinant of cell development |
| prostate gland | a solid, chestnut shaped organ surrounding the first part of the urinary tract in the male. the prostate gland secretes substances into the semen |
| analog | a chemical compound that differs slightly from another, usually natural, compound. analogs generally contain extra or altered chemical groups and may have similar or opposite metabolic effects compared with the native compound. also spelled analogue. |
| international unit | a crude measure of vitamin activity, often based on the growth rate of animals in response to the vitamin. Today IUs have largely been replaced by more precise milligram or microgram measures. |
| fetus | the developing human life form from 8 wks after conception until birth |
| parathyroid hormone | a hormone made by the parathyroid glands that increases synthesis of the vitamin D hormone and aids calcium release from bone and calcium conservation by the kidneys, among other functions. |
| rickets | a disease characterized by poor mineralization of newly synthesized bones because of low calcium content. this deficiency dissease arises in infants and children from insufficient amounts of the vitamin D hormone in the body |
| osteomalacia | adult form of rickets. the weakening of the bones seen in this disease is caused by low calcium content. a reduction in the amount of the vitamin D hormone in the body is one cause |
| hemolysis | destruction of red blood cells. the red blood cell membrane breaks down, allowing cell contents to leak into the fluid portion of the blood. |
| tocopherols | the chemical name for some forms of vitamin E. the alpha form is the most potent |
| isomers | different chemical structures for compounds that share the same chemical formula |
| hemorrhage | an escape of blood from blood vessels |
| coagulation | blood clotting; essentially a transition of blood from a liquid cell suspension into a solid, gel-like form. |
| bioavailability | the degree to which an ingested nutrient is absorbed and thus is available to the body |
| beriberi | the thiamin deficiency disorder characterized by muscle weakness, loss of appetite, nerve degeneration, and sometimes edema |
| dementia | a general loss or decrease in mental function |
| premenstrual syndrome | a disorder found in some women a few days before a menstrual period begins. it is characterized by depression, anxiety, headache, bloating, and mood sqings. severe cases are currently termed premenstrual dysphoric disorder |
| megaloblast | a large, immature red blood cell that results from the particular cell's inability to divide normally. |
| erythrocytes | mature red blood cells. these have no nucleus and a life span of about 120 days; they contain hemoglobin, which transports oxygen and carbon dioxide |
| megaloblastic anemia | anemia characterized by the presence of abnormally large red blood cells |
| neural tube defect | a defect in the formation of theneural tube occurring during early fetal development. this type of defect results in various nervous system disorders, such as spina bifida. folate deficiency in the pregnant woman increases the risk that the fetus will develop this disorder. |
| intrinsic factor | A protein like compound produced by the stomach that enhances vitamin B12 absorption |
| pernicious anemia | the anemia that results from a lack of vitamin B12 absorption; it is pernicious because of associated nerve degeneration that can result in eventual paralysis and death |
| lecithin | a group of phospholipid compounds that are major components of cell membranes |
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