Vitamins
Part of the Food Chemistry and the Lab section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 14 of 27.
Vitamins are needed in tiny amounts and must come from food.
Vitamin C, C₆H₈O₆, has many O-H groups: polar, water-soluble, not stored.
Vitamins A, D, E, K are mostly C-H chains: non-polar, fat-soluble, stored in fat.
Heat and air oxidize vitamin C: fresh fruit holds more than cooked fruit.
Challenge
Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, has the formula C₆H₈O₆. Count the atoms of each element in one molecule.
Try it yourself
FormulaCount the atoms in C6H8O6
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.