Retinol, also known as vitamin A1, is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in vision, immune function, and cellular growth. Structurally, retinol contains a hydroxyl (-OH) group, which classifies it as an alcohol.
Retinol undergoes metabolic conversion into other biologically active forms:
•Retinal (Aldehyde form) – Important for vision (part of rhodopsin).
•Retinoic acid (Carboxylic acid form) – Important for gene regulation and cellular differentiation.
•Retinyl esters – Storage form of vitamin A.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong:
1.Ethers (Incorrect choice) – Retinol does not contain an -O- linkage between two carbon atoms, which is characteristic of ethers.
2.Esters (Incorrect choice) – Retinyl esters exist, but retinol itself is not an ester (esters contain a -COO- functional group).
3.Ketones (Incorrect choice) – Ketones contain a C=O group within a carbon chain, which retinol does not have.
4.Aldehydes (Incorrect choice) – While retinol can be oxidized to retinal (which is an aldehyde, CHO group), retinol itself is an alcohol.