Vitamin Name and Function

2-Dimensional
Representation

3-Dimensional
Representation

(Vitamin C)

Coenzyme for collagen (connective tissue protein) formation; antioxidant; antibody production; hormone synthesis; cholesterol formation and excretion

(Vitamin D₂)

Calcium and phosphorus absorption and regulation (needed for bone, teeth, and proper nerve function); some role in insulin secretion

(Part of the Vitamin B Complex)

Release of energy from food; manufacture of coenzyme A (needed for breakdown of fats and carbohydrates; production of neurotransmitters; hemoglobin production

(Vitamin B₆)

Release of energy from food; synthesis and breakdown of amino acids; prostaglandin manufacture (needed for blood pressure regulation and heart function); skin and hair maintenance; hormone production

(Vitamin A)

Vision; growth and repair of epithelial cells; embryonic development; production of myelin (nerve coating) and other membranes; immune system enhancement.

(Vitamin B₂)

Tissue respiration; metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and fats; growth and repair of body tissues; blood cell development and iron metabolism

(Vitamin E)

Antioxidant (protects cells from toxic compounds, heavy metals, radiation, and free radicals); retinal development; protects vitamin A in eyes

Table 1

The 2D representations shown in this table were drawn using CS ChemDraw Pro, and the 3D coordinates were obtained by MM2 minimization using CS Chem3D Pro.

Note: The 2D and 3D representations for each vitamin are drawn from the same view. The 3D (but not the 2D) representations are all drawn to the same scale. In the 3D representations, carbon atoms are gray, hydrogen atoms are light blue, oxygen atoms are red, and nitrogen atoms are dark blue. The coordinates for the 3D representations were obtained from molecular-modeling calculations, and the images were rendered using SwissPDB Viewer and POV-Ray (see References).