Polarized Light Microscopy Digital Image Gallery

Pantothenic Acid

Essential for animal metabolism, pantothenic acid plays a variety of roles within the body. It is, for instance, a basic component of coenzyme A and is involved in the decarboxylation of pyruvate in the citric acid cycle. The vitamin is also necessary for the bodily production of red blood cells and steroid metabolism, as well as the stimulation of antibody synthesis and proper neuron activity. Some of the many dietary sources of pantothenic acid include yogurt, mushrooms, eggs, lentils, meats, soybeans, and wheat germ. Due to its prevalence in nature, deficiencies of the vitamin are extremely rare. When they do occur, however, it is typically as an unwelcome side effect of another pharmaceutical.


© 1995-2022 by Michael W. Davidson and The Florida State University. All Rights Reserved. No images, graphics, software, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders. Use of this website means you agree to all of the Legal Terms and Conditions set forth by the owners.
This website is maintained by our
Graphics & Web Programming Team
in collaboration with Optical Microscopy at the
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Last modification: Thursday, Nov 20, 2003 at 03:51 PM
Access Count Since November 20, 2003: 7750
Microscopes provided by:
Visit the Nikon website. Visit the Olympus Microscopy Resource Center website.