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Chapter 26: Problem 19

Vitamin A occurs only in the animal world. \- The carotenes of the plant world are tetraterpenes \(\left(\mathrm{C}_{40}\right)\) and are cleaved, after ingestion, into vitamin \(\mathrm{A}\). \- The best-understood role of vitamin \(A\) is its participation in the visual cycle where it is used to make the photoactive component of rhodopsin, the lightsensitive pigment in our eyes.

Short Answer

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Question: Explain the relationship between Vitamin A and carotenes and their role in the visual cycle. Answer: Vitamin A and carotenes are related in that carotenes are precursors of Vitamin A. While Vitamin A is found in animals, carotenes are found in plants. When we consume plants containing carotenes, our body converts them into Vitamin A. One of Vitamin A's primary roles in the body is its involvement in the visual cycle. It is used to produce the photoactive component of rhodopsin, a light-sensitive pigment in our eyes, allowing us to see and interpret light for proper vision.

Step by step solution

01

Vitamin A and carotenes source

Vitamin A is primarily found in the animal world while carotenes are found in the plant world. Carotenes are tetraterpenes, which means they have a chemical structure containing 40 carbon atoms (C40).
02

Ingestion and cleaving of carotenes

When we consume plants containing carotenes, our body cleaves them into Vitamin A. This way, even if Vitamin A is not found in the plant world, we can still obtain it through the consumption of carotene-containing plant foods.
03

Role of Vitamin A in the visual cycle

Vitamin A has multiple roles in the body, but its most well-known function is in the visual cycle. It is used to produce the photoactive component of rhodopsin, which is the light-sensitive pigment found in our eyes. This pigment allows us to see and interpret light, making it essential for proper vision.

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