There are two major groups of vitamins: the fat-soluble vitamins designated by the letters A, D, E, and K, and the water-soluble vitamins which are referred to as the vitamin B complex.

Most vitamins are converted in vivo into coenzymes that work with metabolic enzymes to complete their biochemical functions.

A lack of proper amounts of vitamins in the diet leads to a host of vitamin-deficiency diseases. The photomicrograph in our banner depicts crystallites of the common vitamin ascorbic acid or vitamin C. This important vitamin serves as a general reducing agent in many biochemical reactions and has been implicated by Nobel laureate Linus Pauling as a cure for the common cold.

Our vitamin collection contains over 5000 photomicrographs of all the recognized vitamins and many biochemicals that have vitamin-like properties. We have even included chemicals that were once thought to be vitamins but are now known not to fall into this important class of biochemicals.

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