Get premium membership and access questions with answers, video lessons as well as revision papers.
Biotin is commonly found in food in two forms: the free form and the protein bound
coenzyme form called biocytin. Biotin is absorbed from the small intestines, whereas
the biocytin form is not.
Functions of biotin
As a coenzyme, biotin is:
1. involved in energy metabolism in the TCA cycle.
2. is part of at least 4 enzymes, involved in transport and transfer of carbon
dioxide.
3. plays a role in the synthesis and oxidation of fatty acids and the oxidation of
carbohydrates.
4. stimulates protein synthesis.
5. is involved in the deamination some amino acid.
6. is involved in the synthesis of nicotinic acid and digestive enzyme pancreatic
amylase and in antibody formation.
Dietary sources
Biotin is present in nearly all foods mostly bound to protein. The richest sources are
liver, kidney, peanut butter and egg yolk. Some vegetables such as cauliflower, nuts
and legumes contain good amounts. Some biotin is synthesized by bacteria in the
intestinal tract. Human milk is poor in biotin (less than a tenth of that found in cows
milk).
Deficiency of biotin
Deficiency of biotin is rare. Consumption of many raw eggs may lead to deficiency as
the biotin is bound by a chemical known as avidin, which makes it unabsorbable.
Avidin is a protein in raw egg white which binds biotin. Symptoms of biotin
deficiency resemble those of thiamin deficiency and include dermatitis, loss of
appetite, nausea, mental depression and glossitis.
Titany answered the question on November 8, 2021 at 05:38
- Functions of pyridoxine(vitamin B6)(Solved)
Functions of pyridoxine(vitamin B6)
Date posted: November 8, 2021. Answers (1)
- Explain the Functions of folic acid(Solved)
Explain the Functions of folic acid
Date posted: November 8, 2021. Answers (1)
- List the characteristics of water soluble vitamins(Solved)
List the characteristics of water soluble vitamins
Date posted: November 8, 2021. Answers (1)
- Discuss the effects of Vitamin A Deficiency in a Human's Body(Solved)
Discuss the effects of Vitamin A Deficiency in a Human's Body
Date posted: November 8, 2021. Answers (1)
- Outline the Functions of vitamin A in Human Nutrition(Solved)
Outline the Functions of vitamin A in Human Nutrition
Date posted: November 8, 2021. Answers (1)
- List down the Characteristics of fat soluble vitamins(Solved)
List down the Characteristics of fat soluble vitamins
Date posted: November 8, 2021. Answers (1)
- List the Roles of fat in the diet(Solved)
List the Roles of fat in the diet
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)
- List the Roles of fat in the body(Solved)
List the Roles of fat in the body
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)
- Describe the Digestion of fats(Solved)
Describe the Digestion of fats
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)
- Discuss the two types of Essential fatty acids (EFA)(Solved)
Discuss the two types of Essential fatty acids (EFA)
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)
- Describe different Reaction at double bonds of fatty acids(Solved)
Describe different Reaction at double bonds of fatty acids
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)
- Give Examples of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids(Solved)
Give Examples of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)
- Outline ways of preventing Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM)(Solved)
Outline ways of preventing Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM)
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)
- What are the Clinical signs of Kwashiokor?(Solved)
What are the Clinical signs of Kwashiokor?
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)
- What does Protein Energy Malnutrition mean?(Solved)
What does Protein Energy Malnutrition mean?
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)
- Factors affecting protein requirements in a human body(Solved)
Factors affecting protein requirements in a human body
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)
- Discuss the different qualities of proteins(Solved)
Discuss the different qualities of proteins
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)
- Explain the Metabolism of amino acids in a human body(Solved)
Explain the Metabolism of amino acids in a human body
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)
- Describe three structures of protein(Solved)
Describe three structures of protein
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)
- Classification of amino acids(Solved)
Classification of amino acids
Date posted: November 5, 2021. Answers (1)