Define the ascorbic acid - basic concepts, Biology

Assignment Help:

Define the Ascorbic Acid - Basic Concepts?

Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, whose structure is shown in Figure. You would have noticed that its structure resembles glucose.

570_Ascorbic Acid – Basic Concepts.png

Figure: Structure of vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

As the name suggests, ascorbic acid is acidic in nature and a pure solution of this white crystalline substance has a pH of about 3. Ascorbic acid also have two possible enantiomers - the L and the D form. The D form of ascorbic acid is generally inactive as anti-scorbutic agents and naturally occurring ascorbic acid occurs in L form. Ascorbic acid is stable in solid form and in acidic solutions but is easily destroyed in alkaline solutions.

Oxidative destruction of ascorbic acid is accelerated by increasing the pH. Some mammals like rat can synthesize the vitamin from glucose by the uronic acid pathway. However, primates like humans and some other animals like guinea pig, bats, fish, birds cannot synthesize this vitamin. They lack the enzyme L gulonolactone oxidase which prevents its synthesis from glucose. Since these species from the animal kingdom cannot produce ascorbic acid, they have to obtain it entirely through the diet. Hence, its importance. The vitamin exists in the body largely in the reduced form with reversible equilibrium with a relatively small amount of dehydro ascorbic acid. Both forms are physiologically and metabolically active. We are already familiar with the functions of vitamin C.


Related Discussions:- Define the ascorbic acid - basic concepts

Write the basic about suturing, Write the basic about Suturing The goa...

Write the basic about Suturing The goal during suturing multiple tissue levels is to suture periosteum to periosteum and tissue to tissue. Pull the suture just tight enough

Mode of hormone action through intracellular receptors, MOD E OF HORMONE A...

MOD E OF HORMONE ACTION THROUGH INTRACELLULAR RECEPTORS - Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble and easily pass through the cell membrane of a target cell into the cytoplasm.

What are the similarities in cloning and selective breeding, Similarities ...

Similarities  in cloning and selective breeding cloning (not transgenesis) and selective breeding both transfer whole genome both selective breeding and cloning have t

Clonal propagation, Clonal Propagation Most cultivars of ornamental a...

Clonal Propagation Most cultivars of ornamental and fruit species and forest trees are highly heterozygous. Consequently, their seed progeny is not true-to-type. To preserve

Explain the cell cycle in details, Explain the cell cycle in details? M...

Explain the cell cycle in details? Most cells of higher organisms follow a cyclic pattern of division. The bulk of the cycle consists of the stage known as interphase, the peri

Define the determination of completion of reaction, Define the Determinatio...

Define the Determination of Completion of Reaction ? Several methods are used to determine when the reaction is complete. Some of these include (a) Observing an indicator (c

HEALTHY DIET, EXPLAIN THE CONSTITUENT OF FOOD GROUPS AND THEIR SOURCES

EXPLAIN THE CONSTITUENT OF FOOD GROUPS AND THEIR SOURCES

Define the toxicity of vitamin k, Define the Toxicity of Vitamin K? Vi...

Define the Toxicity of Vitamin K? Vitamin K, does not produce any toxic effects in doses (10-20 mg) normally used for the treatment or subjects suffering from disorders of liv

Cell, What is suisidel bag in plant?

What is suisidel bag in plant?

Explain insect resistant crops - evolutionary, Insect resistant crops (IRC)...

Insect resistant crops (IRC) Insects are a natural selection pressure so plants resistant to certain insects could have an evolutionary advantage (in natural environments)

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd