IBDP SL

1. Micro- and macro-nutrients

2. Definitions

3. • Micro-nutrients: They are substances which are
required by the body in small amounts and are co-
factor of enzymes. They include vitamins and trace
minerals such as Cu, Zn, Cr, Fe
• Macro-nutrients: They are substance required in
large amounts and include proteins, fats,
carbohydrates and minerals (Na, Ca, S, Cl)

4. VITAMINS
• Vitamins are known as fat soluble or water soluble
• Fat soluble vitamins (A, D,E, K) are long with a
non-polar hydrocarbon chain or ring
• They are able to accumulate in the fatty tissue of
the body
• Water soluble vitamins (C and the eight B-group
vitamins) contain hydrogen which is attached to an
electronegative oxygen or nitrogen which can form
hydrogen bonds with water molecules
They cannot be stored. They must be consumed
every day.

5. Vitamins containing C=C double bonds and –OH
groups are easily oxidised and keeping food
refrigerated slows down this process

6. TYPES OF VITAMINS

7. VITAMIN A (RETINOL)

8. It contains only one –OH group
It is fat soluble due to its long non-polar
hydrocarbon chain
It is not easily broken down by cooking
• Required for the production of rhodopsin>
light changes its conformation>
creation of nerve impulse> vision

9. VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID)

10. Due to the number of –OH groups this vitamin is
soluble in water
It is not retained for long in the body
A disease known as scorbutus (scurvy) is
associated with the lack of this vitamin
The symptoms are: swollen legs, rotten gums
It was most commonly noticed in sailors who spent
long periods of time without fresh food

11. VITAMIN D (CALCIFEROL)

12. It is a large hydrocarbon with one –OH group and
it is fat soluble
A deficiency of vitamin D leads to: bone softening
and malformation which is known as rickets

13. MALNUTRITION

14. This occurs when either too much food is
consumed leading to obesity or the diet is
lacking in certain micro- or macro- nutrients

15. MICRO-NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES
• Fe  anaemia > fatigue
• I  goiter > swallen thyroid gland
• Vitamin A  xerophthalmia & night blindness
• Vitamin B3  pellagra > diarrhea, dementia,
dermatitis
• Vitamin B1  beriberi > muscles, heart, nerves
• Vitamin C  scurvy > rotten gums
• Vitamin D  rickets > malformation/softening of
bones

16. MACRO-NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES
• Deficiency in macronutrient such as proteins
cause marasmus (growth retardation) and
kwashiorkor (fatigue, weight loss)
• Deficiency in Ca produces osteoporosis
Deficiency in Na produces cramps

17. CAUSES OF NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES
• Developed world
- low income
- poor eating habits
• Developing world
- poverty
- famine

18. SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT MALNUTRITION
Eating fresh food rich in vitamins and minerals
Adding nutrient which that are missing in
commonly consumed foods
Genetic modification of foods
Providing nutritional supplements