Vitamin A
Vitamin A is otherwise known as retinol, which is an intermediary to retinal. or beta carotene. When it is in the form of retinal, this metabolite will act as a light absorbing molecule.
Vitamin A is also an essential component of retanoic acid which is a crucial signalling molecule especially during Early Organogenesis [2]
It is necessary for low light and colour vision, as it is found in the retina of the eye. Vitamin A is used in the treatment of Rhodopsin-related diseases.
A defficiency of Vitamin A is known to cause night blindness due to its essential role in the ocular system of the body [1][2][3].
Deficiency is more common within developing countries pariculary during infancy when they are not getting sufficient amounts in breast milk. Common symptoms include xerophthalmia, anaemia and increased susceptibility of infection.
References
- ↑ Biochemistry 6th edition international edition by Lubert Stryer Jeremy Berg and John Tymoczko
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1131442/
- ↑ http://www.cell.com/abstract/S0092-8674(08)01121-5
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/