Full Answer
What are the 4 elements found in vitamins?
What Elements Are in Vitamins? 1 Carbon. Carbon is considered the "backbone element" of the molecules of life. ... 2 Hydrogen. Like carbon, hydrogen is a part of a molecule's general shape and structure. ... 3 Oxygen and Nitrogen. ... 4 Other Elements. ...
What makes a chemical compound a vitamin?
First, it’s worth discussing what makes a chemical compound a vitamin. A vitamin is defined as any organic compound that a living organism requires, but which it is not capable of producing itself, or cannot produce in the amounts required by the body.
What are a vitamins?
A vitamin is defined as any organic compound that a living organism requires, but which it is not capable of producing itself, or cannot produce in the amounts required by the body.
Do all vitamins have hydrogen in them?
All vitamins have significant quantities of hydrogen in them. Most hydrogen atoms on any given molecule simply provide for the molecule's overall shape rather than participating in chemical reactions, but in some cases, hydrogen is an important part of a vitamin's reactivity.
What are the components of coenzymes?
What are the two groups of vitamins?
What is the water soluble growth factor in pigeons?
Why did Funk think that polyneuritis was caused by a lack of a vital factor?
Which vitamin is the most important component of a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism?
What are the functions of vitamins?
What is a vitamin?
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What kind of molecules are vitamins?
A vitamin is an organic molecule (or a set of molecules closely related chemically, i.e. vitamers) that is an essential micronutrient that an organism needs in small quantities for the proper functioning of its metabolism.
Are vitamins considered molecules?
Vitamins are organic molecules (not necessarily amines) that are essential to metabolism in all living organisms. While these molecules serve essentially the same role in all forms of life, higher organisms have lost the ability to synthesize vitamins.
Are vitamins are proteins?
Foods contain nutrients like proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals, water, etc....Key Differences Between Vitamin and Protein.CategoryVitaminProteinTypesWater-soluble vitamins (Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C) and Fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamin A, D, E, K)Structural, enzymes, receptors, collagen, keratin1 more row•Oct 13, 2022
What are vitamins classify?
Vitamins are classified into two groups based on their solubility: the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) and the water-soluble vitamins (B vitamins, vitamin C and folate, to name a few). Fat-soluble vitamins are usually absorbed passively and must be transported with dietary lipids.
Are vitamins carbohydrates?
Vitamins are different from macronutrients like carbohydrates, protein, and fat in many important ways. While the human body needs large amounts of the macronutrients to use as main energy sources, only small amounts of micronutrients are required.
Are vitamins and minerals molecules?
Vitamins are organic (moderately complex molecules based on covalent carbon-carbon bonds) whereas minerals are inorganic (simpler - often only one or two elements - usually in the form of ions).
Are lipids vitamins?
The lipids of nutritional importance are triglycerides (fats and oils), phospholipids (e.g., lecithin), and sterols (e.g., cholesterol). Lipids in the diet transport the four fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) and assist in their absorption in the small intestine.
Are vitamins amino acids?
No, vitamins are not made of amino acids. Otherwise, it would be a protein, which is a macronutrient. However, some vitamins are naturally synthesised from amino acids. For example, vitamin B3 or niacin can be synthesised by the human body from the amino acid tryptophan.
Are vitamins enzymes?
Vitamins are organic molecules your body needs to assist enzymes in doing their jobs. Some vitamins act as these “coenzymes” while others metabolize, or break down, to supply the coenzyme needed. Folate (vitamin B-9) reduces into the THF coenzyme, for example.
What category does vitamins fall under?
Vitamins are organic substances, which means they're made by plants or animals. Minerals are inorganic elements that come from soil and water, and are absorbed by plants or eaten by animals. Your body needs larger amounts of some minerals, such as calcium, to grow and stay healthy.
What are vitamins how they are classified in chemistry?
Vitamins are generally classified as water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins.
Is vitamin compound or element?
A vitamin is defined as any organic compound that a living organism requires, but which it is not capable of producing itself, or cannot produce in the amounts required by the body.
What are considered molecules?
Molecules are made up of one or more atoms. If they contain more than one atom, the atoms can be the same (an oxygen molecule has two oxygen atoms) or different (a water molecule has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom). Biological molecules, such as proteins and DNA, can be made up of many thousands of atoms.
Are nutrients a molecule?
Nutrients are chemical molecules that are found in foods and required by our bodies to maintain life and support growth and health. On this page, we'll zoom in to understand how atoms bond together to form these chemical molecules.
What classifies something as a molecule?
A molecule is two or more atoms connected by chemical bonds, which form the smallest unit of a substance that retains the composition and properties of that substance. Molecules form the basis of chemistry. Molecules are noted with the element symbol and a subscript with the number of atoms.
Are medications molecules?
Small molecules make up 90% of pharmaceutical drugs (such as insulin, aspirin, and antihistamines) [31]. They also include biological molecules such as fatty acids, glucose, amino acids, and cholesterol and secondary metabolites such as lipids, glycosides, alkaloids, and natural phenols [44].
What are vitamins?
Vitamins are any of several organic substances that are necessary in small quantities for normal health and growth in higher forms of animal life....
What are the two main groups of vitamins?
Traditionally vitamins are separated into two groups, the water-soluble and the fat-soluble vitamins. The water-soluble vitamins are thiamin, ribof...
What are sources for vitamins?
Both plants and animals are important natural sources for vitamins. All vitamins can be either synthesized or produced commercially from food sourc...
What common diseases are caused by a vitamin deficiency?
Inadequate intake of specific vitamins can result in a characteristic deficiency disease (hypovitaminosis), and the severity depends upon the degre...
What are the vitamin requirements in human beings?
There is no uniform agreement concerning vitamin requirements for humans, but recommended daily vitamin intakes are sufficiently high to account fo...
Functions of Vitamin A, B, C, D, E - Explained - BYJUS
Explore the functions of vitamin A, B, C, D, E in detail. Discover the roles that these vitamins play in our body only at BYJU'S
Vitamins- Definition, Types and Sources of Vitamins - BYJUS
Vitamins are organic substances that are mostly found in the human body. They are essential micronutrient required in small quantities for the proper functioning of the living systems.
List of Vitamins - Drugs.com
Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 1 Nov 2022), Cerner Multum™ (updated 25 Oct 2022), ASHP (updated 11 Nov 2022 ...
What vitamins are in pork chops?
Vitamin B1 or Thiamin: Found in pork chops, ham, enriched grains and seeds. Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin: Found in whole grains, enriched grains and dairy products. Vitamin B3 or Niacin: Found in mushrooms, fish, poultry, and whole grains. Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid: Found in chicken, broccoli, legumes and whole grains.
Which vitamins are fat soluble?
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the fat cells and as the name suggests, these vitamins require fat in order to be absorbed. Vitamin A, D, E and K are fat-soluble vitamins.
What are vitamins? What are their functions?
What are Vitamins? The vitamins are natural and essential nutrients, required in small quantities and play a major role in growth and development, repair and healing wounds, maintaining healthy bones and tissues, for the proper functioning of an immune system, and other biological functions. These essential organic compounds have diverse ...
Where can I find vitamin B5?
Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid: Found in chicken, broccoli, legumes and whole grains. Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine: Found in fortified cereals and soy products. Vitamin B7 or Biotin: Found in many fruits like fruits and meats. Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid: Found in leafy vegetables.
Where are vitamins found?
These organic substances are abundantly found in both plants and animals source and play a vital role in both growth and development and optimal health.
Do vitamins need to be replenished?
Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in our body as its excess gets excrete through the urine. Therefore, these vitamins need to be replenished constantly. Vitamin B and C are water-soluble vitamins.
Can vitamins be synthesized?
Similar to minerals, vitamins cannot be synthesized by our body. Therefore, we need to get them from the food we consume or in extreme cases supplements to keep ourselves healthy.
What are vitamins?
The term nutrition now no longer encompasses the 3 different corporations of important vitamins: minerals, important fatty acids, and important amino acids. Most nutrients aren’t unmarried molecules; however, corporations of associated molecules are called vitamers. For example, there are 8 vitamers of nutrition E: four tocopherols and four tocotrienols —some assets list fourteen nutrients, including choline.
What are the different types of vitamins?
Some sources list fourteen vitamins, including choline. Still, major health organizations list thirteen: vitamin A (as all-trans-retinol, all-trans-retinyl-esters, as well as all-trans-beta-carotene and another provitamin A carotenoids), vitamin B1 ( thiamine ), vitamin B2 ( riboflavin ), vitamin B3 ( niacin), vitamin B5 ( pantothenic acid ), vitamin B6 ( pyridoxine), vitamin B7 ( biotin ), vitamin B9 ( folic acid or folate ), vitamin B12 ( cobalamins ), vitamin C ( ascorbic acid ), vitamin D ( calciferol ), vitamin E ( tocopherols and tocotrienols ), and vitamin K (phylloquinone and menaquinones). Vitamins and source
What are the vitamins in a fitness diet?
Still, major fitness businesses listing thirteen: nutrition A (as all-trans-retinol, all-trans-retinyl-esters, in addition to all- trans-beta-carotene and some other provitamin A carotenoids), nutrition B1 (thiamine), nutrition B2 ( riboflavin ), nutrition B3 ( niacin ), nutrition B5 ( pantothenic acid ), nutrition B6 ( pyridoxine ), nutrition B7 ( biotin ), nutrition B9 (folic acid or folate), nutrition B12 ( cobalamins ), nutrition C ( ascorbic acid), nutrition D (calciferol), nutrition E (tocopherols and tocotrienols), and nutrition K (phylloquinone and menaquinones ). Vitamins and supply Vitamins have various biochemical functions. Vitamin A acts as a regulator of molecular and tissue increase and differentiation. Vitamin D presents a hormone-like feature, regulating mineral metabolism for bones and different organs.
What are the functions of vitamins?
Vitamins have diverse biochemical functions. Vitamin A acts as a regulator of cell and tissue growth and differentiation. Vitamin D provides a hormone-like function, regulating mineral metabolism for bones and other organs. The B complex vitamins function as enzyme cofactors (coenzymes) or the precursors for them. Vitamins C and E function as antioxidants. Both deficient and excess intake of a vitamin can potentially cause clinically significant illness, although excess intake of water-soluble vitamins is less likely to do so.
What was the only source of vitamins in the 1950s?
Before 1935, the only source of vitamins was food . [citation needed] If intake of vitamins was lacking, the result was vitamin deficiency and consequent deficiency diseases. Then, commercially produced tablets of yeast-extract vitamin B complex and semi-synthetic vitamin C became available. [citation needed] This was followed in the 1950s by the mass production and marketing of vitamin supplements, including multivitamins, to prevent vitamin deficiencies in the general population. Governments have mandated adding some vitamins to staple foods such as flour or milk, referred to as food fortification, to prevent deficiencies. Recommendations for folic acid supplementation during pregnancy reduced the risk of infant neural tube defects.
How many vitamins are there in the human body?
Vitamins are classified as either water -soluble or fat-soluble. In humans, there are 13 vitamins: 4 fat-soluble (A, D, E, and K) and 9 water-soluble (8 B vitamins and vitamin C). Water-soluble vitamins dissolve easily in water and, in general, are readily excreted from the body to the degree that urinary output is a strong predictor of vitamin consumption. Because they are not as readily stored, more consistent intake is important. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed through the intestinal tract with the help of lipids (fats). Vitamins A and D can accumulate in the body, which can result in dangerous hypervitaminosis. Fat-soluble vitamin deficiency due to malabsorption is of particular significance in cystic fibrosis.
When were vitamins discovered?
When this presumption was later determined not to be true, the “e” was dropped from the name. All vitamins were discovered (identified) between 1913 and 1948.
What is the B7/B8?
7. Vitamin B7/B8. Vitamin B7, also known as vitamin B8, is biotin. It is a vitamin that intervene in the lipid and amino acid metabolism. Much of the necessary dose of biotin in our body comes from our intestinal bacterial flora that synthesizes it inside us even though our cells are not capable.
How long does it take for a vitamin to deplete?
Some vitamins can take several months to deplete the body’s reserves, even though they are not available in our diet. Here’s a small record of vitamins, which also contains information about some foods from which you can get different types of vitamins. 1. Vitamin A.
What is the vitamin B1 deficiency?
Its deficiency leads to beriberi, a disease that can affect the nervous system or the cardiovascular system, relatively common in areas with nutritional difficulties, such as sub-Saharan Africa.
What is B5 in the Krebs cycle?
Vitamin B5 is also called pantothenic acid. It is necessary for the generation of coenzyme CoA, a metabolic component of the Krebs cycle, important in obtaining energy through cellular respiration.
Why is vitamin D important?
Vitamin D is important in several processes, such as the control of inflammation and the immune response, but it is mainly known for its role in calcium absorption , which allows for better bone health, especially important in children and people with osteoporosis.
What is the role of vitamin A in the body?
Vitamin A, also known as retinol is a group of organic compounds necessary for the maintenance of tissues such as skin or mucous membranes, in addition to having a role also in the immune system, the proper functioning of the eye or the development and growth of the body.
What is the B6 vitamin?
Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is also known as pyridoxine.. It is found in meat, eggs, fish, nuts and legumes, as well as many other vitamins that are part of the B vitamin group. Vitamin B6 is needed in dopamine synthesis adrenaline, norepinephrine and GABA, hormones and neurotransmitters of high biological importance.
What is the difference between B12 and B6?
Vitamin B6 – Deficiency of B6 causes convulsions, conjunctivitis, and sometimes neurological disorders. Vitamin B12 – Its deficiency can cause pernicious anemia and a decrease in red blood cells in hemoglobin. Vitamin C – It is a water-soluble vitamin, its deficiency causes bleeding in gums and scurvy.
What are the different types of vitamins?
Based on their role in biological processes and their effect different vitamins have different functions, their function can be best understood by knowing about their deficiency diseases. Given below is the list of vitamins and their deficiency diseases: 1 Vitamin A – Hardening of the cornea in eye, night blindness. 2 Vitamin B1 – Deficiency may cause beriberi, dwarfism. 3 Vitamin B2 – Deficiency can cause disorders in the digestive system, skin burning sensations, cheilosis. 4 Vitamin B6 – Deficiency of B6 causes convulsions, conjunctivitis, and sometimes neurological disorders. 5 Vitamin B12 – Its deficiency can cause pernicious anemia and a decrease in red blood cells in hemoglobin. 6 Vitamin C – It is a water-soluble vitamin, its deficiency causes bleeding in gums and scurvy. 7 Vitamin D – It is obtained by our body when exposed to sunlight. Its deficiency causes improper growth of bones, soft bones in kids, rickets. 8 Vitamin E – Deficiency of vitamin E leads to weakness in muscles and increases the fragility of red blood cells. 9 Vitamin K – It plays an important role in blood clotting. The deficiency of vitamin K increases the time taken by the blood to clot. Severe deficiency may cause death due to excessive blood loss in case of a cut or an injury.
What are the diseases that can be caused by vitamin deficiency?
Given below is the list of vitamins and their deficiency diseases: Vitamin A – Hardening of the cornea in eye, night blindness. Vitamin B1 – Deficiency may cause beriberi, dwarfism. Vitamin B2 – Deficiency can cause disorders in the digestive system, skin burning sensations, cheilosis.
What is the difference between vitamin C and vitamin D?
Vitamin C – It is a water-soluble vitamin, its deficiency causes bleeding in gums and scurvy. Vitamin D – It is obtained by our body when exposed to sunlight. Its deficiency causes improper growth of bones, soft bones in kids, rickets.
What are the compounds that are required in small amounts?
These compounds are known as vitamins. Vitamins are chemical compounds that are required in small amounts with our regular diet in order to carry out certain ...
Why are vitamins important?
Vitamins are chemical compounds that are required in small amounts with our regular diet in order to carry out certain biological functions and for the maintenance of our growth.
Which vitamins are fat soluble?
Fat-Soluble Vitamins. Vitamin A, D, E and K are fat-soluble. These are stored in adipose tissues and hence are called fat-soluble vitamins. 2. Water-Soluble Vitamins. Vitamins in B-group and vitamin C are water-soluble and cannot be stored in our bodies as they pass with the water in urine.
What are the roles of vitamins in the body?
For example, a number of the B vitamins are important for making red blood cells, and metabolism of a variety of compounds during digestion. Others have uses in more specific parts of the body; for example, vitamin A is important for our eyesight, whilst vitamin K plays a major role in the clotting of blood. Similarly, deficiencies of vitamins can also have effects; a lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy, the bane of sailors before the role of vitamin C was understood. A lack of vitamin K can cause bleeding problems, which is why newborn babies are given a shot containing the vitamin, preventing bleeding on the brain and the subsequent potential brain damage.
What makes a compound a vitamin?
As far as the definition for vitamins goes, this doesn’t include the other essential nutrients that are found in our diet, such as amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates and minerals.
How many vitamins are there in the world?
Currently, there are 13 recognised vitamins: vitamins A to E, including a range of B vitamins, and vitamin K. The slightly odd gap in lettering between E and K is a consequence of changes in designations of vitamins; for example, vitamin B7, biotin, was previously referred to as vitamin H.
Where are vitamins stored?
Generally, we can stick all of the vitamins into two broad categories. The fat soluble vitamins, vitamins A, D E, and K, can be stored by our bodies in the liver or in fatty tissues. They are stored until they’re required, which consequently means they generally don’t need to be ingested as frequently. Water soluble vitamins, on the other hand, are not stored in the body. As such, they must be a regular part of the diet in order to avoid deficiency. Conversely, the fact that water soluble vitamins aren’t stored in the body makes it harder to overdose on them, which can also have detrimental effects.
Why is there a gap between E and K?
The slightly odd gap in lettering between E and K is a consequence of changes in designations of vitamins; for example, vitamin B7, biotin, was previously referred to as vitamin H.
Is vitamin D chemically simpler than vitamin E?
Some vitamins are chemically simpler than others; vitamin D, for example, occurs naturally only in the form shown in the graphic. Others, such as vitamin E, can come in the form of a range of structurally similar compounds, with the exact substituents varying. The active form of vitamins in the tissues of mammals can also be marginally altered ...
Do you need to take vitamins if you are on a balanced diet?
If you have a balanced diet, then chances are you’re already getting these vitamins in the required quantities. There are cases where supplements are recommended for those who are at risk of deficiency; however, for the general population, the evidence for taking them might be a little shaky.
What is the most common element in a molecule? Hydrogen?
Like carbon, hydrogen is a part of a molecule's general shape and structure. Hydrogen is the lightest element, and also the most common by sheer number in the molecules of life. All vitamins have significant quantities of hydrogen in them. Most hydrogen atoms on any given molecule simply provide for the molecule's overall shape rather than participating in chemical reactions, but in some cases, hydrogen is an important part of a vitamin's reactivity. For example, it's hydrogen that's responsible for the acidic nature of vitamin C.
Why is hydrogen important in vitamin C?
Most hydrogen atoms on any given molecule simply provide for the molecule's overall shape rather than participating in chemical reactions, but in some cases, hydrogen is an important part of a vitamin's reactivity. For example, it's hydrogen that's responsible for the acidic nature of vitamin C.
What are vitamins made of?
Like all biomolecules, vitamins consist mostly of the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, with a few other elements featured occasionally.
What are the elements in carbohydrates?
Apart from the four elements most common in vitamins, there are several elements that show up only in a few vitamins. For instance, both vitamins B-6 and B-12 contain phosphorus, Drs. Mary Campbell and Shawn Farrell note in their book "Biochemistry.".
Which vitamins contain both oxygen and nitrogen?
Some vitamins, including vitamin B-6, contain both nitrogen and oxygen.
What is the most common element in a vitamin?
Vitamin B-1, also called thiamine, contains sulfur, which has chemical reactivity similar to that of oxygen. One of the most unique elements in a vitamin is cobalt, found in vitamin B-12. Apart from the four elements most common in vitamins, there are several elements that show up only in a few vitamins. In both cases, the phosphorus is in the form ...
Is oxygen a part of vitamin C?
Oxygen and Nitrogen. While oxygen and nitrogen aren't as prevalent in vitamins as carbon and hydrogen, they're nevertheless present -- one or both -- in all vitamins, and contribute significantly to functionality. Oxygen atoms in vitamin C are largely responsible for the molecule's antioxidant properties, while nitrogen atoms in ...
What are the components of coenzymes?
component of coenzymes in metabolism of amino acids and other nitrogen-containing compounds; synthesis of hemoglobin, neurotransmitters; regulation of blood glucose levels. dermatitis, mental depression, confusion, convulsions, anemia. folic acid. folate, folacin, pteroylglutamic acid.
What are the two groups of vitamins?
Biochemists traditionally separate them into two groups, the water-soluble vitamins and the fat-soluble vitamins. The common and chemical names of vitamins of both groups, along with their main biological functions and deficiency symptoms, are listed in the table.
What is the water soluble growth factor in pigeons?
Later it was realized that the water-soluble growth factor, vitamin B , was not a single entity but at least two—only one of which prevented polyneuritis in pigeons. The factor required by pigeons was called vitamin B 1, and the other factor, essential for rats, was designated vitamin B 2.
Why did Funk think that polyneuritis was caused by a lack of a vital factor?
Funk proposed that the polyneuritis arose because of a lack in the birds’ diet of a vital factor (now known to be thiamin) that could be found in rice bran. Funk believed that some human diseases, particularly beriberi, scurvy, and pellagra, also were caused by deficiencies of factors of the same chemical type.
Which vitamin is the most important component of a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism?
thiamin. vitamin B 1. component of a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism; supports normal nerve function. impairment of the nerves and heart muscle wasting. riboflavin. vitamin B 2. component of coenzymes required for energy production and lipid, vitamin, mineral, and drug metabolism; antioxidant.
What are the functions of vitamins?
In general these functions are of a catalytic or regulatory nature, facilitating or controlling vital chemical reactions in the body’s cells.
What is a vitamin?
Vitamin, any of several organic substances that are necessary in small quantities for normal health and growth in higher forms of animal life. Vitamins generally cannot be synthesized in amounts sufficient to meet bodily needs and therefore must be obtained from the diet or from some synthetic source.
