Master Vitamin A (Retinol) Function and Deficiency with Picmonic for Physician Assistant

Retinol is another name for vitamin A and can be found in foods originating from animals. It contains an alcohol group and can be converted to other forms of vitamin A.

In the eye, 11-cis-retinal is bound to rod and cone receptors. This structure changes from a cis- to trans- chemical bond through light activation, inducing an action potential in the optic nerve. Thus, Vitamin A is important for low-light and color vision.

Vitamin A in the form of retinoic acid is important in the maintenance of normal skin health, by activating genes and differentiating immature keratinocyte skin cells into mature epidermal cells.

This vitamin is needed by the retina of the eye for low-light and color vision. Therefore, night blindness is one of the first symptoms of vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin A in the form of retinoic acid is also important in the maintenance of normal skin healthy by activating genes and differentiating immature keratinocyte skin cells into mature epidermal cells. Therefore, skin changes like dry skin are often a sign of vitamin A deficiency.

Measles continues to be a major cause of death in children in low-income countries, and is especially dangerous in children with a vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A supplementation during acute measles has been shown to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality although the exact mechanism is unknown.

Vitamin A has antioxidant activity and neutralizes free radicals, which can oxidize other molecules and can cause cell damage or death.