Retinyl ester
Retinyl Ester
Retinyl ester (/rɛˈtɪnɪl ˈɛstər/) is a form of vitamin A that is stored in the liver. It is a group of compounds that are esters of retinol combined with various fatty acids.
Etymology
The term "retinyl" is derived from "retinol", which is a form of vitamin A. The suffix "-yl" is used in organic chemistry to form names of radicals. The term "ester" comes from the German word "Essigäther", the old name for ethyl acetate.
Function
Retinyl esters are the storage form of vitamin A in the body. They are stored in the liver and are converted back into retinol when the body needs vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for a number of bodily functions, including vision, immune function, and cell growth.
Related Terms
- Retinol: A form of vitamin A that is essential for vision, growth, and cellular differentiation.
- Vitamin A: A group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds that includes retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and several provitamin A carotenoids.
- Fatty acids: Carboxylic acids with long aliphatic chains, which are either saturated or unsaturated.
- Liver: A large, meaty organ that sits on the right side of the belly, which among other functions, stores vitamins and minerals including vitamin A.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Retinyl ester
- Wikipedia's article - Retinyl ester
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