Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
11:56
A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
Published on: April 11, 2014
The discovery of the vitamins
1Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. rdsemba@jhmi.edu
Summary
The discovery of vitamins, crucial for health, involved decades of research by scientists. This progress, marked by challenges, ultimately elucidated essential nutrients and their roles in preventing deficiency diseases.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
- Medical History
Background:
- The germ theory of disease dominated medical thought.
- Only proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals were considered essential nutrients.
- Early 20th century saw the emergence of vitamins as critical dietary factors.
Observation:
- Clinicians identified specific deficiency syndromes like scurvy, beriberi, rickets, pellagra, and xerophthalmia.
- These conditions were recognized as distinct from infectious or toxic diseases.
- The term "vitamine" was coined in 1912, marking a new era in understanding nutrition.
Findings:
- The discovery and characterization of vitamins required interdisciplinary collaboration among epidemiologists, physicians, physiologists, and chemists.
- Experimental physiology and animal models were instrumental in understanding vitamin functions and deficiency impacts.
- Chemists played a key role in isolating vitamins, determining their structures, and developing synthetic methods.
Implications:
- Understanding vitamins revolutionized the prevention and treatment of deficiency diseases.
- This scientific journey highlights the complex, stepwise nature of scientific discovery, involving setbacks and revisions.
- Ongoing research continues to expand our knowledge of vitamins and their impact on human health.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Vitamins
Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced in our...
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
01:27Mineral, Vitamin and Water Absorption
Electrolytes are essential minerals and ions primarily obtained from the diet and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Most electrolytes are absorbed in the small intestine. While the absorption of iron and calcium primarily occurs in the duodenum, calcium is also absorbed in the jejunum and ileum. In these regions, passive diffusion contributes to its absorption alongside active transport mechanisms in the duodenum. These ions can exit the enterocytes through specialized active...
01:22Introduction to Enzymes
The use of enzymes by humans dates to 7000 BCE. Humans first used enzymes to ferment sugars and produce alcohol without knowing that this was an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. Wilhelm Kuhne coined the term 'enzyme' in 1877 from the Greek words ‘en’ meaning ‘in’ or ‘within’ and ‘zyme’ meaning ‘yeast.’
Most enzymes are proteins that speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed. Enzymes contain one or more active sites that bind the substrates and convert them into products. Many enzymes also...
Most enzymes are proteins that speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed. Enzymes contain one or more active sites that bind the substrates and convert them into products. Many enzymes also...
01:22Introduction To Enzymes
The use of enzymes by humans dates to 7000 BCE. Humans first used enzymes to ferment sugars and produce alcohol without knowing that this was an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. Wilhelm Kuhne coined the term 'enzyme' in 1877 from the Greek words ‘en’ meaning ‘in’ or ‘within’ and ‘zyme’ meaning ‘yeast.’
Most enzymes are proteins that speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed. Enzymes contain one or more active sites that bind the substrates and convert them into products. Many enzymes also...
Most enzymes are proteins that speed up biochemical reactions without being consumed. Enzymes contain one or more active sites that bind the substrates and convert them into products. Many enzymes also...
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...