Vitamin C Flashcards
True or False: Most animals synthesize all the vitamin C that they need
True
What animals need dietary vitamin C?
man, most primates, guinea pigs, bats, some passerine birds, and most fish
What are the functions of vitamin C?
it is an enzyme cofactor and a water soluble anti-oxidant
What is vitamin C an enzyme cofactor for?
it participates in collagen hydroxylation, necessary for synthesis of carnitine, biosynthesis for norepinephrine from dopamine
What is the water soluble anti-oxidant component of vitamin C important for?
protecting cell cytosol and extracellular fluids from free radical attack
How does vitamin C deficiency present in guinea pigs?
weight loss, enlarged and painful joints, internal hemorrhages, weakness and lameness, and DEATH
How long does it take for symptoms of vitamin C deficiency show up in guinea pigs?
two weeks
What do fish need vitamin C for?
collagen development
Where do fish get their vitamin C from?
algae and other plants
Where is vitamin C stored in fish?
in the kidneys and liver
What is a classical symptom of vitamin C deficiency?
Scurvy
What symptoms of scurvy?
formation of liver spots on the skin, spongy gums, bleeding from mucous membranes
What does scurvy look like in monkeys?
unwillingness to stand on hind legs within weeks, weight loss, loss of hair, tooth lesions, gingivitis, edema
