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== Vitamer ==

'''Vitamer''' (/vaɪˈtæmər/) refers to any of several chemically distinct compounds that show similar vitamin activity. The term is often used in the context of [[vitamin]]s, where different vitamers of a particular vitamin possess the same biological activity to varying degrees.

=== Etymology ===

The term "vitamer" is derived from the words "vitamin" and "isomer". The suffix "-mer" is derived from the Greek word "meros", which means part. Thus, "vitamer" can be interpreted as "parts of a vitamin".

=== Related Terms ===

* [[Vitamin]]: An organic molecule that is an essential micronutrient which an organism needs in small quantities for the proper functioning of its metabolism.
* [[Isomer]]: Molecules that have the same molecular formula but are arranged differently in space.
* [[Micronutrient]]: Essential substances, such as vitamins and minerals, that organisms require in small amounts for normal growth and development.
* [[Metabolism]]: The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms.

=== Vitamers of Some Common Vitamins ===

* '''Vitamin A''': Retinol, retinal, and four carotenoids including beta carotene.
* '''Vitamin B3''': Nicotinic acid and Nicotinamide.
* '''Vitamin B6''': Pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine.
* '''Vitamin C''': Ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid.
* '''Vitamin E''': Four tocopherols and four tocotrienols.
* '''Vitamin K''': Phylloquinone and a series of menaquinones.

=== See Also ===

* [[Vitamin deficiency]]
* [[Vitamin overdose]]
* [[Vitamin supplement]]

[[Category:Medical Dictionary]]
[[Category:Vitamins]]
[[Category:Nutrition]]

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