Organic micronutrients required in small amounts, either water-soluble or fat-soluble.
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Vitamins are organic micronutrients that the body needs in small amounts but cannot synthesise in sufficient quantities. Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K are absorbed with dietary lipid and stored in body fat and the liver. Water-soluble vitamins, including the B complex and vitamin C, are generally not stored and are excreted in urine. Many B vitamins act as precursors of coenzymes such as NAD and FAD, linking vitamins directly to metabolism. Deficiency diseases include scurvy from lack of vitamin C, rickets from lack of vitamin D and beriberi from lack of thiamine, vitamin B1.
Key ideas: Organic compounds needed in small amounts that the body cannot make enough of. Fat-soluble A, D, E, K are stored in tissue and can accumulate to toxic levels; water-soluble B complex and C are excreted, so need regular intake. Deficiency diseases: A night blindness, D rickets, C scurvy, B1 beriberi, B12 pernicious anemia, K bleeding.
Common mistakes and connections: Students think vitamins give energy or are all one type; they provide no calories but serve as coenzymes or antioxidants. Megadoses of fat-soluble vitamins are harmful. Vitamin D can be made in skin from sunlight, so it is a vitamin only conditionally. Links to cofactors and nutrition.
The 13 vitamins fall into 4 fat-soluble types stored in body fat and 9 water-soluble types that are generally excreted, which is why water-soluble ones are needed daily. The interactive lesson shows this as a live animation or chart.
Vitamin C is required for hydroxylation of proline and lysine during collagen synthesis.
Organic micronutrients required in small amounts, either water-soluble or fat-soluble.
Vitamins is a beginner topic in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry. It needs no earlier chemistry lessons and is a good starting point.
Study these earlier topics in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry first: Active Site, Lock and Key vs Induced Fit, Cofactors and Coenzymes.
The next topics in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry are Hormones and Fats and Oils.
Yes. The interactive lesson includes a self-check question on Vitamins, and the Biochemistry, Environment & Industry quiz draws on every topic in this area.
Vitamins is topic 16 of 127 in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry.
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