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

Define the concept of ventilation, Which of the following are true for vent...

Which of the following are true for ventilation? A. The problems with ventilation induced by injection of curare occur because of the drug's direct action on nicotinic ACh Rec

In which way bacteria and the archaea different, How are the bacteria and t...

How are the bacteria and the archaea different from all the other cellular microbes? -They have cell walls? -They can move? -They reproduce asexually? -They have no nucleus?

Minerals and trace elements, Minerals and Trace Elements Oxygen, carbo...

Minerals and Trace Elements Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen are the most common elements that make up 96% of the total weight of a mammal. The next most abundant element

Explain the uses of isp in seafood products, Explain the Uses of ISO in Sea...

Explain the Uses of ISO in Seafood products  Seafood products  The most significant application in this category is the use of ISP in fish sausage and surimi based restructu

By which mechanisms pathogenic bacteria cause diseases, Q. What are few me...

Q. What are few mechanisms by which pathogenic bacteria cause diseases? And why is this knowledge important? Pathogenic bacteria have characteristics called as virulence factor

What are catalysts, Normal 0 false false false EN-IN ...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Organs involved in the digestion process, The various organs involved  in...

The various organs involved  in  the digestion process are: Alimentary tract which  includes mouth, pharynx, esophagus stomach, small intestine, large intestine, appendix,  rec

Middle piece - structure of the sperm, Middle piece - Structure of the Sper...

Middle piece - Structure of the Sperm Just behind the head, the small constriction (neck) carries a distal and a proximal centriole. The two lie at right angle to each other.

Explain nature of fatty acids present in the triglyceride, Explain the Natu...

Explain the Nature of fatty acids present in the triglyceride? Nature of fatty acids present in the triglyceride determines the physico-chemical properties and biological signi

Non symbiotic nitrogen fixers - nutrient cycles, Non Symbiotic Nitrogen Fix...

Non Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixers - Nutrient Cycles There are certain groups of free living bacteria both aerobic and anaerobic and blue green algae that fix nitrogen. Aerobic nit

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