Vitamin D Calciferol Structure Molecule Model
SKU: 68813W
Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for calcium and phosphate metabolism necessary for bone health. Its molecular structure is derived from the cleavage of the carbon 9 & 10 bond of the "B" ring in cholesterol & is referred to as a secosteroid. The structure is futher distinguished by a single hydroxyl group attaced to carbon 3 of its "A" ring which permits its solubility in lipid membranes. The "D" ring has a long hydrocarbon tail called an isoprenoid chain which imparts hydrophobic properties.
Cholecalciferol is biologically inactive & is converted into its active forms of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (calcidiol) in the liver & 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol)in the kidney.
Vitamin D, technically speaking, is not a vitamin but a pro-hormone. While forms of it can be found in plant & animal food sources, the most common source is production in our skin where 7-dehydrocholesterol is converted by the UVB portion of sunlight.
Indigo Instruments has maintained a substantial inventory of genuine Cochranes of Oxford (Orbit) parts for 30+ years (scroll down to see "Skeletal (Orbit/Minit) and are compatible with every molecular model kit we have sold since day 1. This level of quality may appear expensive but no parts support from other vendors costs even more.
