Exam 2 will cover information given in lectures, handouts and on the web beginning from
the first lecture following exam 1 to Tuesday’s lecture before Exam 2. In this period we covered
the following topics: (1) mineral interactions, (2) post-absorption transport and cellular uptake, (3)
brain minerals, (4) mineral deficiencies, and (5) specific aspects relative to calcium, potassium, and
iron. As before, it is best to prepare for the exam by dividing the information into that pertaining to
macrominerals and microminerals.
Mineral interactions: Know which minerals are prone to interactions and the consequences. Know,
for example, how calcium intake is affected by magnesium, phosphorous and vice versa. Know how
to interpret the meaning of data showing interactions between: calcium-phosphorous-magnesium;
iron-zinc; iron-copper; copper-zinc; iron-manganese; selenium-iodine, and others.
Postabsorption events: Know how minerals travel in the blood (protein bound or as free ions), how
they are taken in by cells (passive and active transport, endocytosis, etc.) and which mechanism
applies to a given mineral, e.g., iron with transferrin, copper with ceruloplasmin and CTR1, calcium
with calbindin, zinc with ZnT(1-5) and ZIP(1-3). Know the role of ionophores, ATPase enzymes,
metallochaperones. Be familiar with Fick’s law of diffusion,
Minerals in the brain: Know the role of zinc as a neurotransmitter, the regions of the brain that
contain high levels, the interactions with calcium; know also the important functions performed by
iron and copper in the brain; e.g., the role of copper in the synthesis of neuropeptide hormones;
know the changes in brain minerals with aging, specifically iron and copper, know the link between
minerals in brain and the onset of plaques associated with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Mineral deficiencies: Know the symptoms that are most obvious when a mineral deficiency is
prevalent. Know the basis of ambiguous and unambiguous diagnosis of a deficiency; be able to
defend or discourage the use of supplements as a means to stave off deficiencies. Know the causes
of anemia, the number one nutritional problem world-wide, the consequences, age- and status-
related changes in iron requirements (neonate, pregnancy, lactation); know the salient features of
zinc deficiency, the importance of zinc in cognitive development, in growth and stature
development, in immune system integrity, cell survival (apoptosis), insulin action, and wound
healing.
Specific minerals: For Ca, K, and Fe you will be responsible for knowing aspects of their nutrition
that relate to dietary requirement, dietary sources, biological function, biochemical requirement,
homeostasis, interaction with other minerals, impairments when deficient or in excess,
docsity.com
