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

Explain the jejuno ileal bypass and jaw wiring, Explain the Jejuno ileal By...

Explain the Jejuno ileal Bypass and Jaw Wiring? Jejuno-ileal Bypass: Absorptive surface of the small intestines can also be reduced through surgery called the jejuno-ileal by p

Study of food texture, Q. Study of food texture? We learnt earlier that...

Q. Study of food texture? We learnt earlier that texture is observed in terms of tactile sensations i.e. finger feel and mouth feel. Finger feel is sensed before ingestion, by

Acute renal failure and its etiology, Acute Renal Failure You know tha...

Acute Renal Failure You know that acute renal failure refers to the sudden deterioration in kidney function, characterised by reduced urine excretion to less than 10 ml/kg  bo

What is the economic importance of sponges, Q. What is the economic importa...

Q. What is the economic importance of sponges? a few chemical substances secreted by sponges have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral activities and antibiotic and they are used in

Lymhatic system, composition formation and circulation of lymph

composition formation and circulation of lymph

Theory of natural selection, What key idea, contained in Malthus's essay on...

What key idea, contained in Malthus's essay on populations, helped Darwin formulate his theory of natural selection?

Biological functions in which chlorine ions participate, Q. What are the ma...

Q. What are the major biological functions in which chlorine ions participate? Like sodium cations, chlorine anions actively participate in the regulation of the osmolarity of

What is the determination of vitamin B1, What is the Determination of vitam...

What is the Determination of vitamin B 1 Vitamin B 1 is determined by chemical method and microbiological assay. In the chemical method, vitamin B 1 is oxidized in alkaline

Codeine, CODEIN E - It is methylmorphine, obtained from opium. I...

CODEIN E - It is methylmorphine, obtained from opium. It is used in cough syrups. A notable side effect of codeine is constipation.

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