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 are yeast, Q. What are yeast? Yeasts are unicellular fungi, which ...

Q. What are yeast? Yeasts are unicellular fungi, which are widely distributed in nature. They are somewhat larger than bacteria. The cell length is about 10μm and the diameter

Which kind of chemical bond maintains the pairing, Q. Which kind of chemica...

Q. Which kind of chemical bond maintains the pairing of each chain in the DNA molecule? To form the DNA molecule, purine bases bind to pyrimidine bases by intermolecular bonds

Food chain - ecosystem, Food Chain - Ecosystem In a food chain, the fo...

Food Chain - Ecosystem In a food chain, the food energy is transformed from a given source through a series of species, each of which eats the one before itself in the chain.

Define interferons - humoral mechanisms, Define Interferons - Humoral Mecha...

Define Interferons - Humoral Mechanisms Interferons are soluble proteins secreted naturally when cells become infected by foreign bodies. Infected lymphocytes release interfero

What is panoramic x-ray, What is Panoramic X-Ray This is one of the mos...

What is Panoramic X-Ray This is one of the most vital radiological techniques in planning placement of dental implants. Not only will it give you the complete picture of the pe

Describe arteriovenous continuous murmur, Describe Arteriovenous Continuous...

Describe Arteriovenous Continuous Murmur? Arteriovenous Continuous Murmur :  These can be congenital as in coronary artery fistula entering RA/RV/PA, sinus of valsalva to rig

What is diagnostic wax up, Diagnostic Wax Up A diagnostic wax up should...

Diagnostic Wax Up A diagnostic wax up should be done by you or got done from a laboratory for each and every case regardless of the extent or difficulty level of the case as it

Proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum, The RER have various proteins which ...

The RER have various proteins which have the role of assisting nascent proteins to fold rightly into their native conformation. Some of these are called as chaperones. RER-resident

Describe ecological phytosociological, Q. Describe Ecological phytosociolog...

Q. Describe Ecological phytosociological? Field studies are desirable for an understanding of the relationship of any group of plants. If it is not possible to study the plants

Define about the classification of polyphenols, Define about the Classifica...

Define about the Classification of polyphenols?  The various classes are: a) Phenolic acids and derivatives b) Flavonoids such as Flavonols and Flavones, Isoflavones and

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