Explain functions of ascorbic acid, Biology

Assignment Help:

Explain Functions of Ascorbic Acid?

Vitamin C is easily oxidized, and the majority of its functions in vivo rely on this property. It plays a key role in the body's synthesis of collagen and nor epinephrine by keeping the enzymes responsible for these processes in their active reduced form. Vitamin C may also play a role in detoxifying by products of respiration. Occasionally during respiration, O2 is incompletely reduced to superoxide ion (O2-) instead of being reduced completely to its -2 oxidation state (as in H2O). Normally an enzyme called superoxide dismutase converts O2- to H2 O2 and O2 , but in the presence of Fe2+, the hydrogen peroxide may be converted into the highly-reactive hydroxyl radical (OH). The hydroxyl radical can initiate unwanted and deleterious chemistry within a cell when it removes a hydrogen atom (H) from an organic compound to form H2O and a new, potentially more reactive free radical. Ascorbic acid can donate a hydrogen atom to a free radical, and thus stop these reactions from occurring. The role of ascorbic acid as an antioxidant, therefore, is of prime importance.


Related Discussions:- Explain functions of ascorbic acid

Diet-peri operative problems, Diet :  Pre-operatively, patients are on low...

Diet :  Pre-operatively, patients are on low calorie, low fat diet. However in the immediate post-operative period, strict dieting is not advisable. They need good nutrition for p

425, #questionThree actographs (look closely to see the labels A, B, and C)...

#questionThree actographs (look closely to see the labels A, B, and C). Assume that the abscissa is either 24 or 48 hours for each actograph. You are asked to write two sentences f

Describe integrative systems of the body, Q. Why is the endocrine system co...

Q. Why is the endocrine system considered one of the integrative systems of the body? What is the other physiological system that also has this function? The endocrine system i

What is the difference among dna and rna, Concerning the nitrogen-containin...

Concerning the nitrogen-containing bases that participate in nucleotides, what is the difference among DNA and RNA? In DNA nucleotides can be formed of adenine (A), thymine (T)

Explain phylum zooflagellata, Phylum Zooflagellata (Animal Flagellates)...

Phylum Zooflagellata (Animal Flagellates) 1) At some stage of life-cycle they have one or more flagella. 2) They feed heterotrophically by absorption or phagocytosis, and

Difference between type ii and type i diabetes mellitus, Q. What is the dif...

Q. What is the difference between type II diabetes mellitus and type I diabetes mellitus? Type I diabetes also known as insulin-dependent diabetes (as this name is not adequate

Rapidly flowing waters - biota of rivers, Rapidly Flowing Waters - Biota of...

Rapidly Flowing Waters - Biota of Rivers In the rapidly flowing section of the river, the water current is the dominant feature. Everything that is not attached or weighed is

Sources of food contamination, All plants and animals have a natural microf...

All plants and animals have a natural microflora associated with them. For example, the plants have a natural microflora associated with the surface of roots, stems, leaves e

Epididymis, EPIDIDYMIS - All seminiferous tubules form short straigh...

EPIDIDYMIS - All seminiferous tubules form short straight tubules as tubuli recti, open into wider network of rete testis. From rete testis 15-20 fine convoluted tubules,

Write the basic about suturing, Write the basic about Suturing The goa...

Write the basic about Suturing The goal during suturing multiple tissue levels is to suture periosteum to periosteum and tissue to tissue. Pull the suture just tight enough

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