Vitamer
Vitamer
Vitamer (/vaɪˈtæmər/) refers to any of several chemically distinct compounds that show similar vitamin activity. The term is often used in the context of vitamins, where different vitamers of a particular vitamin possess the same biological activity to varying degrees.
Etymology
The term "vitamer" is derived from the words "vitamin" and "isomer". The suffix "-mer" is derived from the Greek word "meros", which means part. Thus, "vitamer" can be interpreted as "parts of a vitamin".
Related Terms
- Vitamin: An organic molecule that is an essential micronutrient which an organism needs in small quantities for the proper functioning of its metabolism.
- Isomer: Molecules that have the same molecular formula but are arranged differently in space.
- Micronutrient: Essential substances, such as vitamins and minerals, that organisms require in small amounts for normal growth and development.
- Metabolism: The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms.
Vitamers of Some Common Vitamins
- Vitamin A: Retinol, retinal, and four carotenoids including beta carotene.
- Vitamin B3: Nicotinic acid and Nicotinamide.
- Vitamin B6: Pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine.
- Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid.
- Vitamin E: Four tocopherols and four tocotrienols.
- Vitamin K: Phylloquinone and a series of menaquinones.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vitamer
- Wikipedia's article - Vitamer
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