Final answer:
Coenzymes such as NAD and FAD are essential in catabolic processes where they assist in the breakdown of molecules and the generation of ATP. Vitamins like Vitamin C act as precursors or coenzymes necessary for various metabolic reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The coenzymes that contribute to catabolism, the process of breaking down larger molecules into smaller ones, include nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD).
These coenzymes are crucial for oxidation-reduction reactions, where they accept hydrogen atoms during the transformation of substrates, such as glucose, into energy.
NAD and FAD are derived from dietary vitamins and are instrumental in the production of ATP, the energy currency of the cell. Another key role of coenzymes is to assist in the catalysis by multi-enzyme complexes like pyruvate dehydrogenase.
Vitamin C also acts as a coenzyme for enzymes involved in synthesizing collagen, an important connective tissue component. Thus, maintaining adequate levels of these vitamins through diet is essential for the proper functioning of catabolic pathways.