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

Who is fruits useful for diabetics patients, Fruits Diabetics should ha...

Fruits Diabetics should have fruits every day. Be careful to select fruits and fruit juices, citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruit should be included. Tell them to eat fru

Which cell organelles are well-developed in secretory cell, Q. Which cell o...

Q. Which cell organelles are well-developed in secretory cells? In secretory cells, like the secretory cells of endocrine glands, organelles related to production, "exportation

What are the grain boundaries, What are the Grain boundaries Grain boun...

What are the Grain boundaries Grain boundaries disrupt the motion of dislocations by a material, so reducing crystallite size is a common way to improve strength. Since grain b

Estimate the results of tetralogy of fallot, Estimate the Results of Tetral...

Estimate the Results of Tetralogy of Fallot? In excellent centres, the mortality is reported one per cent or less. In infants and babies with low weight, higher mortality is ex

What are holandric genes, What are holandric genes? Holandric genes are...

What are holandric genes? Holandric genes are genes situated in the nonhomologous region of the Y chromosome. Holandric genes condition phenotypes that emerge only in men as in

Distinguish between the terms pesticide and insecticide, Distinguish among ...

Distinguish among the terms 'pesticide', 'insecticide' and 'herbicide.   A pesticide is a compound which destroys or controls any organism which is considered to be harmful

Tiny fraction of this water which is retained by the plant, Most of the wat...

Most of the water taken up by a plant passes through it and is evaporated to the atmosphere. What use is made of the tiny fraction of this water which is retained by the plant?

Explain inborn errors of metabolism, Q.  Explain Inborn Errors of Metabolis...

Q.  Explain Inborn Errors of Metabolism? Some of the disorders caused by inborn error of metabolism namely phenylketonuria, tyrosinemia, maple syrup urine disease, homocystinur

State the term autopsy data - brain patient, State the term Autopsy data - ...

State the term Autopsy data - Brain patient Autopsy data are not always entirely usable for validation purposes, in that numerous changes may have taken place in the patient's

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