Iron Metabolism + Hemoglobin Viva
Questions with Answers
Q: What is the normal serum iron level?
A: 60–170 µg/dL (micrograms per deciliter).
Q: What is the total iron content in the human body?
A: About 3.5–4 grams in males, 2.3–2.5 grams in females.
Q: What are dietary sources of iron?
A: Heme: red meat, liver; Non-heme: green leafy vegetables, legumes.
Q: Where is iron absorbed?
A: In the duodenum and proximal jejunum.
Q: What are the forms of iron in food?
A: Heme iron (from animal sources) and non-heme iron (from plant sources).
Q: What is the difference between heme and non-heme iron?
A: Heme iron is better absorbed and comes from animal sources. Non-heme is less
efficiently absorbed.
Q: What factors increase iron absorption?
A: Vitamin C, acidic pH, presence of heme iron.
Q: What inhibits iron absorption?
A: Phytates, tannins (tea), calcium, oxalates.
Q: What is the role of transferrin?
A: It transports iron in the plasma.
Q: What is TIBC?
A: Total Iron Binding Capacity – measures iron transport capacity. High in iron deficiency.
Q: What is ferritin?
A: A protein that stores iron intracellularly.
Questions with Answers
Q: What is the normal serum iron level?
A: 60–170 µg/dL (micrograms per deciliter).
Q: What is the total iron content in the human body?
A: About 3.5–4 grams in males, 2.3–2.5 grams in females.
Q: What are dietary sources of iron?
A: Heme: red meat, liver; Non-heme: green leafy vegetables, legumes.
Q: Where is iron absorbed?
A: In the duodenum and proximal jejunum.
Q: What are the forms of iron in food?
A: Heme iron (from animal sources) and non-heme iron (from plant sources).
Q: What is the difference between heme and non-heme iron?
A: Heme iron is better absorbed and comes from animal sources. Non-heme is less
efficiently absorbed.
Q: What factors increase iron absorption?
A: Vitamin C, acidic pH, presence of heme iron.
Q: What inhibits iron absorption?
A: Phytates, tannins (tea), calcium, oxalates.
Q: What is the role of transferrin?
A: It transports iron in the plasma.
Q: What is TIBC?
A: Total Iron Binding Capacity – measures iron transport capacity. High in iron deficiency.
Q: What is ferritin?
A: A protein that stores iron intracellularly.
