vitamins and their functions

[Deepa100]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Do we need to memorize these?

 

[RySerr21]

i've never read anything that had to do with vitamins or functions. not a single question. that includes several practice tests and a kaplan review book and the real mcat test 5/27. i'm gonna with a resounding no.

 

[PRodulous]

Do we need to memorize these?

I'd say no. The closest thing I've seen to a vitamin question was a o-chem problem on a TPR practice. It was about alkenes and I think Vitamin C.

 

[unsung]

Do we need to memorize these?

There are 2 things that I've seen come up in EK about vitamins:

Vitamin D increases blood calcium by increasing absorption of calcium in GI tract. We produce it in the skin with exposure to sunlight.

Vitamin A is a big polyene (lots of conjugated double bonds), so on a UV spect, it would absorb at a lower wavelength. (Addition of each conjugated double bond adds ~ 30 nm).

But, I think if anything, the passage would give all the info you'd need on vitamins.

 

[AsuKa]

the only thing i know about vitamins is tihs

ADEK = fat (not soluble in water)
BC = water soluble

 

[kinzane]

I need help understanding vitamin D: I've read that it definitely absorbs Ca2+ from small intestine to increase plasma concentration of calcium, BUT it also contributes to bone strength??? Wouldn't that mean it acts like calcitonin? Whereas absorbing Ca2+ is what parathyroid hormone does? I know this is an old thread, but help would be appreciated asap

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I need help understanding vitamin D: I've read that it definitely absorbs Ca2+ from small intestine to increase plasma concentration of calcium, BUT it also contributes to bone strength??? Wouldn't that mean it acts like calcitonin? Whereas absorbing Ca2+ is what parathyroid hormone does? I know this is an old thread, but help would be appreciated asap

Vitamin D acts more like a hormone than a vitamin. When it’s metabolized into its active form (calcitriol), it binds to a nuclear receptor that acts as a transcription factor. This receptor (Vitamin D Receptor) is located in many tissue types, but most apropos it is located in intestine, bone, parathyroid, and renal cells. It has various effects in these cells, but in general it increases calcium absorption in the gut and bone resorption.