Question

Consider the differences in homeostasis in the body for vitamins and minerals. How does the body control or regulate the amount of water soluble vitamins, like vitamin C, vs. a mineral such as iron. Give examples of factors that influence this. You can use iron or calcium as your mineral.

Answer 1

The six essential nutrients are vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, water, and carbohydrates helping to maintains Homeostasis.

Mineral homeostasis involves complex interactions between organ systems, primarily involving the skeleton, intestine, and kidneys. ... However, processes in the bone, intestine, and kidney work in concert to achieve the primary goal of maintaining plasma calcium within a relatively narrow range.

Vitamin homeostasis:

Most plants and animals that are exposed to sunlight have the ability to produce vitamin D. In humans, the active vitamin D metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)₂D), has been well recognized for its role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis

Homeostasis regulated by Fe:

Human iron homeostasis is regulated at two different levels. Systemic iron levels are balanced by the controlled absorption of dietary iron by enterocytes, the cells that line the interior of the intestines, and the uncontrolled loss of iron from epithelial sloughing, sweat, injuries and blood loss.

The regulation of iron homeostasis by inflammatory stimuli is important in the innate immune response to infections and cancers. Increasing hepcidin levels during infection has the effect of sequestering iron in tissues and reducing serum iron levels, effectively withholding iron from invading pathogens.

Homeostasis regulated by Vitamin c:

L-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C (VitC)) has gained growing interest for its multiple functions and mechanisms of action, contributing to the homeostasis of normal tissues and organs as well as to tissue regeneration.

Transcription factors and signaling molecules are well-known regulators of stem cell identity and behavior; however, increasing evidence indicates that environmental cues contribute to this complex network of stimuli, acting as crucial determinants of stem cell fate. L-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C (VitC)) has gained growing interest for its multiple functions and mechanisms of action, contributing to the homeostasis of normal tissues and organs as well as to tissue regeneration. Here, we review the main functions of VitC and its effects on stem cells, focusing on its activity as cofactor of Fe+2/αKG dioxygenases, which regulate the epigenetic signatures, the redox status, and the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, depending on the enzymes’ subcellular localization. Acting as cofactor of collagen prolyl hydroxylases in the endoplasmic reticulum, VitC regulates ECM/collagen homeostasis and plays a key role in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells towards osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and tendons. In the nucleus, VitC enhances the activity of DNA and histone demethylases, improving somatic cell reprogramming and pushing embryonic stem cell towards the naive pluripotent state. The broad spectrum of actions of VitC highlights its relevance for stem cell biology in both physiology and disease.

Factors: Like human homeostasis, ecosystem homeostasis is affected by pollution and new and toxic chemicals entering the environment. This can affect important factors like pH levels, salinity, temperature and climate that will affect an ecosystem's homeostasis.

Minerals -Fe,Ca:

Calcium builds bones and teeth; activates enzymes throughout the body; helps regulate blood pressure; and helps muscles to contract, nerves to send messages, and blood to clot. ... Iron helps make hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying chemical in the body's red blood cells) and myoglobin (a protein in muscle cells).

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