Available in 2014

Ourimbah Semester 2

Previously offered in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

Micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and other minor components of the human diet) will be discussed with reference to chemistry, food sources, absorption, metabolism, physiological functions, genetics, development and consequences of deficiency, requirements for Australians, therapeutic use, toxicity and assessment of status. Mechanistic principles of nutrition and their application in preventive and curative aspects of human health throughout the life cycle will be discussed.

Objectives On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. relate foods with specific micronutrients
2. understand the forms in which micronutrients are present in foods
3. discuss digestion, absorption, transport and metabolism of energy nutrients by human beings
4. understand the role of micronutrients in maintaining normal body metabolism and functions as well as in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases
5. apply their knowledge of biochemistry, physiology and other sciences in the understanding of the principles of nutrition with emphasis on micro-nutrients (vitamins, minerals and other minor components of the human diet).
Content Vitamins:
Introduction - history and development of vitamin concept; overviews of the requirements, recommendations for Australians and intake.
Thiamin (B1) - chemistry, plant biosynthesis, food sources, absorption, activation in mammalian systems, biochemical role, consequences of deficiency, requirements, assessment.
Riboflavin (B2) - chemistry, food sources, absorption, activation, biochemical role, consequences of deficiency, requirements, assessment.
Niacin (B3) - chemistry, food sources, absorption, activation, biochemical role, requirements, deficiency, factors affecting niacin status, therapeutic use, toxicity.
Pantothenic acid (B5) - chemistry, metabolic role.
Pyridoxin (B6) - chemistry, food sources, absorption, activation, biochemical function, requirements, drug-induced B6 deficiency, B6 dependent conditions, therapeutic role, potential toxicity.
Biotin - chemistry, food sources, absorption, metabolic role, incidence of deficiency.
Folic acid - chemistry, plant biosynthesis, food sources, absorption, activation, biochemical functions, factors affecting requirements, factors causing deficiency, consequences of deficiency, requirements, assessment.
Cobalamin (B12) - chemistry, sources, absorption, biochemical functions, factors affecting requirements, consequences of deficiency, requirements, assessment.
Ascorbic acid (C) - biosynthesis and species differences, sources, absorption, metabolism, biochemical role, factors affecting requirement, deficiency, therapeutic role, potential toxicity, assessment.
Retinol (A) - chemistry, food sources, absorption, metabolism, physiological functions, consequences of deficiency, requirements, therapeutic use, toxicity.
Cholecaciferol (D) - sources (dietary and endogenous synthesis), absorption, metabolism, vitamin D as a hormone, role in calcium absorption and utilisation, calcium homeostasis, requirements, related diseases, toxicity.
Tocopherol (E) - chemistry, food sources, physiological functions, factors affecting requirements, deficiency, interrelationship with polyunsaturated fatty acids, selenium and sulphur amino acids, clinical use.
Vitamin K - chemistry, food sources, functions, deficiency.

Inorganic Elements:
Macro elements - calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorine and sulphur.
Micro or trace elements - iron, copper, iodine, fluorine, manganese, zinc, selenium, molybdenum, chromium, silicon and other miscellaneous elements.
The inorganic elements will be considered under the following headings:
a) chemistry and physiological properties
b) absorption and factors affecting absorption
c) distribution in the body
d) functions, roles and metabolism
e) homeostasis
f) deficiencies - causes and consequences
g) toxicities
h) interrelationship between elements
i) requirements
j) food sources
k) assessments

Laboratories/tutorials:
Assessment of antioxidant micronutrients
B-vitamin nutritional genetics
Biological significance of zinc
Some case studies
Replacing Course(s) NA
Transition NA
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge HUBS1401 Human Bioscience
HUBS1416 Advanced Human Bioscience
BIOL2010 Biochemistry
BIOL2011 Fundamentals in Biochemistry
FSHN1010 Food & Nutrition I
FSHN1020 Food & Nutrition II
FSHN2020 Macronutrients
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Lecture
Laboratory
Tutorial
Assessment Items
Examination: Class Mid-Semester test
Essays / Written Assignments
Examination: Formal
Other: (please specify) Tutorial Exercises; Laboratory Exercises
Presentations - Individual
Quiz - On-line
Contact Hours Laboratory: for 3 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Timetables 2014 Course Timetables for FSHN2030