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ScotlandHealth & Food TechnologyQuick questions
Area 1: Food, nutrition and health
Quick questions on Vitamins, minerals and water: micronutrients - SQA Higher Health and Food Technology
8short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is vitamin D?Show answer
Controls the absorption of calcium and so is essential for strong bones and teeth. Made in the skin from sunlight and found in oily fish and fortified foods. Deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
What is vitamin E?Show answer
Acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells. Sources: vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and wholegrains.
What is phosphorus?Show answer
Works with calcium to harden bones and teeth (as calcium phosphate). Widely available in protein foods, so deficiency is rare.
What is iron?Show answer
Needed to make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells. Sources: red meat, liver, fortified cereals, pulses and dark green vegetables. Deficiency causes iron-deficiency anaemia (tiredness, pallor, breathlessness).
What is sodium?Show answer
Controls fluid balance and nerve function. Found in salt and processed foods. The problem is excess: too much sodium raises blood pressure (hypertension) and the risk of heart disease and stroke, so advice is to cut salt.
What is fluoride?Show answer
Strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent dental caries. Sources: fluoridated water, tea, toothpaste.
What is q1?Show answer
Name the deficiency disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, and state one food source of the vitamin. [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain why vitamin D is needed for healthy bones even when calcium intake is good. [2 marks]