This is one of the candidates' strengths as they gave enough information required by
the question.
The answers to the question are:
1(a)i. GENERAL FUNCTIONS OF VITAMINS
- Vitamins help to prevent infections
- Vitamins help to prevent diseases
- They assist in the regulation of body processes
- They assist in digestion of food
- They assist in the formation of body cells
- They act as catalyst for certain biochemical/chemical processes in the
cells and tissues.
- They assist in the metabolism of nutrients
- Assist in the functioning of adrenal glands.
ii REASONS FOR VITAMIN A IN THE BODY
- For normal growth
- For good sight/vision
- F or healthy skin
- For healthy lining of bronchial tubes (mucous) membrane
- For resistance of disease
- For resistance to infection
(b)i. FUNCTIONS OF MINERAL SALTS IN THE BODY
- To maintain healthy bones and teeth
- To form strong bones and teeth
- To help in the formation of body cells
- To maintain the water balance
- To assist the various chemical processes in the body
- For proper growth
- For the maintenance of acid base balance in the body
- Helps in the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
ii. IMPORTANT GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO NEED CALCIUM
Infants/Children, adolescents, pregnant women, lactating mothers and the
aged.
(1) Children
Reasons: (i) for growth
(ii) for building strong bones and teeth
(2) Adolescents - (i) for growth
(ii) for the development of healthy bones and teeth.
(3) Pregnant Women - Foetus
(i) for proper development of the foetal skeletal
system.
(ii) for proper formation of bones and teeth.
(b) For the mother - For proper maintenance of bones and teeth.
(4) Lactating mother - (i) To produce adequate supply of calcium for
herself to prevent osteomalacia
(ii)
To produce adequate supply of calcium
for the baby's bone and teeth formation.
(5) The aged (i) To maintain healthy bone and teeth
(ii) To prevent osteoporosis
