Retinol

This is a primary alcohol composed of a b-ionone ring, a side chain of 2 isoprene residues, and a primary alcohol group. In animal tissues (liver), it is found in the form of esters: bound to long-chain fatty acids, the active form of vitamin A. Retinol and its compounds in the body are of trans- configuration, except in the retina, where 11-cis-retinal and 11-cis-retinol are formed. Vitamin A aldehyde 11-cis-retinal, which is formed from retinol or β-carotene, is involved in the visual process. 11-cis-retinal is a component of retinal photoreceptor visual pigments. It is important in the rods of the retina, forming the visual pigment rhodopsin (see Rhodopsin).

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė