Final answer:
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is vital for erythrocyte maturation, DNA synthesis, and metabolic processes. It is absorbed in the ileum with the help of an intrinsic factor and is synthesized solely by gut bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin discovered in the 1940s. It plays a pivotal role in the normal function and development of various bodily systems, particularly for erythrocyte maturation, DNA synthesis, and the metabolism of fatty acids and amino acids. Vitamin B12's complex structure includes cobalt and resembles that of a heme.
The absorption of vitamin B12 occurs in the ileum, the final part of the small intestine. This process requires an intrinsic factor of castle, a glycoprotein secreted by the gastric glands, for the absorption of B12 from the intestine. Deficiencies in B12 can lead to conditions such as pernicious anemia, which is associated with poor absorption of vitamin B12 and can be seen in patients with certain medical conditions like Crohn's disease.
Vitamin B12 is crucial for cellular processes as a co-enzyme and is only synthesized by bacteria in the gut. The deficiency of B12 is common among vegan diets and in less developed nations due to a lack of dietary sources.