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

Anatomy of the brain, In order to be able to study the neural basis of perc...

In order to be able to study the neural basis of perceptual and cognitive functions, it is necessary to have some knowledge of brain anatomy (i.e., what the names of different brai

What capacity of hemoglobin include, Manifestations of anemia that are dire...

Manifestations of anemia that are directly due to the diminished oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin include: Answer A. pale skin. B. bleeding. C. bone pain. D. fatigue.

Flowering and endogenous rhythms, Flowering and Endogenous Rhythms Th...

Flowering and Endogenous Rhythms The last four decades of studies in animals and plant physiology have clearly established the existence of a biological clock mechanism to me

What is probing depth, What is Probing depth Probing depths can be infl...

What is Probing depth Probing depths can be influenced by the tissue type- shallow depths are associated with a keratinized collar, whereas deeper depths are associated with mo

Glycogen, G L YCOGEN Polymer of a-D-glucose. It has 5000-30000 uni...

G L YCOGEN Polymer of a-D-glucose. It has 5000-30000 units of a-D-glucose. Glycogen is glucosan homopolysaccharide which is the major reserve food of animals, fungi and

Illustrate stents, Q. Illustrate Stents? Stents are metallic scaffolds ...

Q. Illustrate Stents? Stents are metallic scaffolds that are deployed within a diseased segment of a coronary artery to establish and then maintain a widely patent lumen. Stent

Trypanosomiasis, Trypanosomiasis The trypanosomiasis, also known as Af...

Trypanosomiasis The trypanosomiasis, also known as African sleeping sickness or Chaga’s disease, is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, T. gambiense and T. rhodesience. T. evansi cau

Presenting features of exstrophy of the bladder, Presenting Features ...

Presenting Features Anterior abdominal wall and anterior bladder wall is deficient and on the surface everted posterior wall of bladder with two ureteric orifices is seen.

Define food availability and food access, Define Food availability and Food...

Define Food availability and Food Access? Food availability: This refers to availability of necessary types of food in sufficient quantity, to the individual. The sources may b

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