BIOLOGY: Vitamins

vitamins

Vitamins – organic compounds required in diet in relatively small amounts

**Our body has NO capacity to store protein, vitamins and minerals.
**Our body has the capacity to store fats or lipids

Fat Soluble:

1.    Vitamin a (Retinol)
- normal vision
- normal growth & differentiation of cells
- reproduction
- immunity

2.    Vitamin D (Calciferol)
- calcium & phosphorus absorption from digestive tract
- normal growth & maintenance of bone

3.    Vitamin E (Tocopherols)
- antioxidants
- protects unsaturated fatty acids & cell membranes

4.    Vitamin K
- blood clotting

Water Soluble

1.    Vitamin C
- collagen synthesis
- antioxidant
- synthesis of hormones & neurotransmitters
- immunity

B – complex Vitamins

1.    Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
- active form is a coenzyme in many enzyme systems
- carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism

2.    Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
- make coenzymes
- cellular respiration

3.    Niacin
- components of coenzymes Nad+ Nadp+
- cellular respiration

4.    Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
- derivative is coenzyme in many reactions in amino acid metabolism

5.    Pantothenic acid
- cellular metabolism

6.    Folic acid 
- nucleic acid synthesis
- synthesis & maturation of red blood cells

7.    Biotin
- coenzyme impt. in metabolism

8.    Vitamin B12
- coenzyme impt. in metabolism