The Elements of Life In biology, the elements of life are the essential building blocks that make up living things. They are carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur. The first four of these are the most important, as they are used to construct the molecules that are necessary to make up living cells. These elements form the basic building blocks of the major macromolecules of life, including carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. Carbon is an important element for all living organisms, as it is used to construct the basic building blocks of life, such as carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Even the cell membranes are made of proteins. Carbon is also used to construct the energy-rich molecules adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and guanosine triphosphate (GTP). Hydrogen is used to construct the molecules water and organic compounds with carbon. Hydrogen is also used to construct ATP and GTP. Nitrogen is used to construct the basic building blocks of life, such as amino acids, nucleic acids, and proteins. It is also used to construct ATP and GTP. Oxygen is used to construct the basic building blocks of life, such as carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. It is also used to construct ATP and GTP. Phosphorus is used to construct the basic building blocks of life, such as carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Show
Reviewed by Traci C. Johnson, MD on August 12, 2022 When you're pregnant, you may develop anemia. When you have
anemia, your blood doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues and to your baby. During pregnancy, your body produces more blood to support the growth of your baby. If you're not getting enough iron or certain other nutrients,
your body might not be able to produce the amount of red blood cells it needs to make this additional blood. It's normal to have mild anemia when you are pregnant. But you may have more severe anemia from low iron or vitamin levels or from other reasons. Anemia can leave you feeling tired and weak. If it is severe but goes untreated, it can increase your risk of serious
complications like preterm delivery. Here's what you need to know about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of anemia during pregnancy. Several types of anemia can develop during pregnancy. These include: Here's why these types of anemia may develop: Iron-deficiency
anemia. This type of anemia occurs when the body doesn't have enough iron to produce adequate amounts of hemoglobin. That's a protein in red blood cells. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. In iron-deficiency anemia, the blood
cannot carry enough oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in pregnancy. Folate-deficiency anemia. Folate is the vitamin found naturally in certain foods like green leafy vegetables A type of B vitamin, the body needs folate to produce new cells, including healthy red blood cells. During pregnancy, women need
extra folate. But sometimes they don't get enough from their diet. When that happens, the body can't make enough normal red blood cells to transport oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Man made supplements of folate are called folic acid. Folate deficiency can directly contribute to certain types of birth defects, such as neural tube abnormalities (spina bifida)
and low birth weight. Vitamin B12 deficiency. The body needs vitamin B12 to form healthy red blood cells. When a pregnant woman doesn't get
enough vitamin B12 from their diet, their body can't produce enough healthy red blood cells. Women who don't eat meat, poultry, dairy products, and eggs have a greater risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency, which may contribute to birth defects, such as neural tube abnormalities, and could lead to preterm labor. Blood loss during and after delivery can also cause anemia. All pregnant women are at risk for becoming anemic. That's because they need more iron and folic acid than usual. But the risk is higher if you: The most common
symptoms of anemia during pregnancy are: In the early stages of anemia, you may not have obvious symptoms. And many of the symptoms are ones that you might have while pregnant even if you're not anemic. So be sure to get routine blood tests to check for anemia at your prenatal appointments. Severe or untreated iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy can increase your risk of having: Untreated folate deficiency can increase your risk of having a: Untreated vitamin B12 deficiency can also raise your risk of having a baby with neural tube defects. During your first prenatal appointment, you'll get a blood test so your doctor can check whether you have anemia. Blood tests typically include:
If you have lower than normal levels of hemoglobin or hematocrit, you may have iron-deficiency anemia. Your doctor may check other blood tests to determine if you have iron deficiency or another cause for your anemia. Even if you don't have anemia at the beginning of your pregnancy, your doctor will most likely recommend that you get another blood test to check for anemia in your second or third trimester.
If you are anemic during your pregnancy, you may need to start taking an iron supplement and/or folic acid supplement in addition to your prenatal vitamins. Your doctor may also suggest that you add more foods that are high in iron and folic acid to your diet. In addition, you'll be asked to return for another blood
test after a specific period of time so your doctor can check that your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are improving. To treat vitamin B12 deficiency, your doctor may recommend that you take a vitamin B12 supplement. The doctor may also recommend that you include more animal foods in your diet, such as: Your OB may refer you to a hematologist, a doctor who specializes in anemia/ blood issues. The specialist may see you
throughout the pregnancy and help your OB manage the anemia. To prevent anemia during pregnancy, make sure you get enough iron. Eat well-balanced meals and add more foods that are high in iron to your diet. Aim for at least three servings a day of iron-rich foods, such as:
Foods that are high in vitamin C can help your body absorb more iron. These include:
Try eating those foods at the same time that you eat iron-rich foods. For example, you could drink a glass of orange juice and eat an iron-fortified cereal for breakfast. Also, choose foods that are high in folate to help prevent folate deficiency. These include:
Follow your doctor's instructions for taking a prenatal vitamin that contains a sufficient amount of iron and folic acid. Vegetarians and vegans should talk with their doctor about whether they should take a vitamin B12 supplement when they're pregnant and breastfeeding. How does iron deficiency anemia affect pregnancy?Severe iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth (when delivery occurs before 37 complete weeks of pregnancy). Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy is also associated with having a low birth weight baby and postpartum depression.
What are the effects of anemia on the health of the mother and the fetus?Throughout pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia adversely affects the maternal and fetal well-being, and is linked to increased morbidity and fetal death. Affected mothers frequently experience breathing difficulties, fainting, tiredness, palpitations, and sleep difficulties.
Why is iron during pregnancy important for the mother and or the baby's development?Iron is a key nutrient and is essential for the developing fetus, neonate, infant, and child. Iron requirements are high during early stages of life because it is critically important for the production of new red blood cells and muscle cells as well as brain development.
What is the most common form of acquired anemia during pregnancy?Because of the increased nutritional requirements of the mother and fetus, the most common anemias are iron deficiency anemia and folate deficiency megaloblastic anemia.
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