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

What is genetic equilibrium, What is genetic equilibrium? The Genetic e...

What is genetic equilibrium? The Genetic equilibrium is the result of the Hardy-Weinberg law, a principle that affirms that under specific conditions the frequencies of the all

Explain the importance for a hypothesis, What's the difference between theo...

What's the difference between theory and hypothesis and explain the importance for a hypothesis to be testable and falsifiable in order for the scientific method to be applied?

Photosynthesis rate varies according to the photic energy, Photosynthesis r...

Photosynthesis rate varies according to the photic energy intensity. Do the similar occur in aerobic respiration? What happens to the glucose balance as a result of these variation

What are the conventional signs used in genetic family trees, What are the ...

What are the main conventional symbols and signs used in genetic family trees? In genetic family trees the male sex is usually shown by a square and the female by a circle. Cro

Describe the non direct approach, Q. Describe the Non Direct Approach? ...

Q. Describe the Non Direct Approach? The counsellor's participation is minimal; here the counsellee freely expresses. The counsellor pays attention to the emotion and attitudes

What is the name of group of fungi, Most of the fungi normally observed are...

Most of the fungi normally observed are members of this group of fungi that includes toadstools, mushrooms and puffballs. This group of fungi is termed as: a) Phycomycetes (pro

What are the symptoms of dyslipidemia, Q. What are the Symptoms of dyslipid...

Q. What are the Symptoms of dyslipidemia? The main symptom is presence of xanthoma: This is a yellowish swelling, nodule or plaque in the skin resulting from deposits of fat. T

Basic domains of dna, DNA binding domains called as basic domains rich in b...

DNA binding domains called as basic domains rich in basic amino acids that was happen in transcription factors in combination with zipper helix-loop-helix or leucine (HLH) dimeriza

Nutrition, prove oxygen is produced during photosynthesis in the presence o...

prove oxygen is produced during photosynthesis in the presence of light

What are the symptoms of rheumatic heart disease, Q. What are the symptoms ...

Q. What are the symptoms of Rheumatic Heart Disease? Symptoms generally appear after 1 to 6 weeks of the fever and sometimes the infection may have been too mild to have been r

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