Question

State the composition for a molecule of each of the following vitamins: (a) vitamin \(\mathrm{B}_{1}, \mathrm{C}_{12} \mathrm{H}_{17} \mathrm{~N}_{4} \mathrm{OS}\) (b) \(\operatorname{vitamin} \mathrm{B}_{2}, \mathrm{C}_{17} \mathrm{H}_{20} \mathrm{~N}_{4} \mathrm{O}_{6}\)

Short answer

Vitamin B1: C: 12, H: 17, N: 4, O: 1, S: 1; Vitamin B2: C: 17, H: 20, N: 4, O: 6.

Step-by-step solution

Identify each element in Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 is represented by the chemical formula \( \mathrm{C}_{12} \mathrm{H}_{17} \mathrm{~N}_{4} \mathrm{OS} \). Identify each element and its count in the molecule. Vitamin B1 consists of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and sulfur (S). Each element count is as follows: C - 12, H - 17, N - 4, O - 1, S - 1.

Summary of Vitamin B1 Composition

Compile the information from Step 1. The composition of vitamin B1 is: 12 carbon atoms, 17 hydrogen atoms, 4 nitrogen atoms, 1 oxygen atom, and 1 sulfur atom.

Identify each element in Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 is represented by the chemical formula \( \mathrm{C}_{17} \mathrm{H}_{20} \mathrm{~N}_{4} \mathrm{O}_{6} \). Identify the elements and their corresponding counts: carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O). Element counts are as follows: C - 17, H - 20, N - 4, O - 6.

Summary of Vitamin B2 Composition

Compile the information from Step 3. The composition of vitamin B2 is: 17 carbon atoms, 20 hydrogen atoms, 4 nitrogen atoms, and 6 oxygen atoms.

Key concepts

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is an essential nutrient critical for energy metabolism and nerve function. It plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy nervous system and improving cardiovascular health.
Its chemical formula is \( \mathrm{C}_{12} \mathrm{H}_{17} \mathrm{N}_{4} \mathrm{OS} \), which might seem complex, but we can break it down to understand its elemental composition easily.

• Carbon (C): 12 atoms
• Hydrogen (H): 17 atoms
• Nitrogen (N): 4 atoms
• Oxygen (O): 1 atom
• Sulfur (S): 1 atom

This specific makeup allows vitamin B1 to perform its biological functions effectively. Carbon forms the backbone of the molecule, while hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen contribute to its stability and reactivity.
Sulfur is crucial in forming thiamine’s ability to play a key biochemical role, particularly in thiamine pyrophosphate production, necessary for energy production processes in cells.

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2, more commonly known as riboflavin, is another important member of the vitamin B complex. It is critical for body growth, red cell production, and releasing energy from carbohydrates.
With a chemical formula of \( \mathrm{C}_{17} \mathrm{H}_{20} \mathrm{N}_{4} \mathrm{O}_{6} \), riboflavin presents a different structural makeup compared to thiamine, highlighting its unique role in the body.

• Carbon (C): 17 atoms
• Hydrogen (H): 20 atoms
• Nitrogen (N): 4 atoms
• Oxygen (O): 6 atoms

Carbon serves as the primary framework in riboflavin's structure. The hydrogen and nitrogen atoms further stabilize the molecule, while the unusually high number of oxygen atoms reflects riboflavin’s strong role in oxidation-reduction reactions.
This element composition enables vitamin B2 to function efficiently as a vital energy contributor and antioxidant, helping maintain healthy skin and vision.

Elemental Composition

Understanding the elemental composition of vitamins helps us appreciate their biological roles.
Each element within vitamin molecules contributes uniquely to their structure and function.
Here’s a breakdown of typical elemental contributions:

• Carbon (C): Fundamental building block, forms chains and frameworks.
• Hydrogen (H): Essential for structure and influences the molecule's interactions.
• Nitrogen (N): Important for stability, reactivity, and forms bonds with carbon and hydrogen.
• Oxygen (O): Vital for reactivity, typically influences the vitamin’s solubility and its interactions with enzymes and receptors.
• Sulfur (S): Found in some vitamins but not all, it often participates in specific biochemical pathways.

By examining the chemical formulas of vitamins B1 and B2, we can deduce how their elemental compositions allow these molecules to fulfill their roles in human nutrition.
For example, their differences in oxygen content illustrate how each vitamin carries out unique yet complementary functions in energy metabolism and cellular maintenance.