Vitamin b-12 is important for the synthesis of which serves to insulate nerve cells.

Vitamin B-12 is important for myelin synthesis. Myelin serves to insulate the nerve cells.

Further Explanation:

Vitamins are the important micro-nutrients that are needed for proper functioning and metabolism of an organism. The vitamins are water-soluble or fat-soluble. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins while vitamin B and C are water-soluble.

Vitamin B-12 or cobalamin is the water-soluble vitamin that acts as a cofactor in the synthesis of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). It has a complex structure. The vitamin B-12 sources include meat and other animal products, like dairy. The absence of these products in the diet of vegan makes them highly vulnerable towards the condition called pernicious anaemia. It is, therefore, suggested to vegans to have supplements of vitamin B-12 for fulfilling the daily vitamin B-12 needs of the body.

Vitamin B-12 is involved in amino acid and fatty acid synthesis too. The other important functions of vitamin B-12 are observed in the maturation of developing RBCs (red blood cells) in the bone marrow and myelin synthesis. Thus, this vitamin has a major role in neurological health. It helps in development as well as functioning of the nerve cells as it plays a key role in maintenance of myelin sheaths, which protect and covers the nerve cells of the nervous systems (central and peripheral nervous systems). The myelin sheath ensures fast nerve impulse transmission from one nerve to another. Therefore, lack of myelination results in dysfunctioning of the central as well as peripheral nervous system.

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Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Biology

Chapter: Biomolecules

Keywords:

Vitamins, fat-soluble, water-soluble, vitamin B-12, myelin sheath, myelination, nervous system, anaemia, nerve cells, red blood cells, insulation.