Final answer:
Lack of Vitamin B12 or Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) impairs the synthesis of DNA precursors, leading to potential anemia and other health issues. Both vitamins are critical co-enzymes in DNA synthesis and must be obtained from dietary sources, with B12 primarily from animal products and Folic Acid from leafy greens and fortified foods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lack of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine) or Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) impairs the synthesis of DNA precursors. Both Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid function as co-enzymes necessary for DNA synthesis, which is critical for the formation of new cells, including erythrocytes. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 can lead to megaloblastic anemia (pernicious anemia), demyelination, neurological lesions, and infertility. Meanwhile, a deficiency of Folic Acid can also result in megaloblastic anemia, as well as potential birth defects during pregnancy.
Vitamin B12 is essential for the conversion of methyl malonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA, and is also involved in the methylation of homocysteine to methionine. Folic Acid, on the other hand, is vital for biological oxidation and various metabolic processes. Neither Vitamin B12 nor Folic Acid is synthesized by the body and thus must be obtained from the diet; Vitamin B12 is found in animal products like liver, eggs, meat, and fish, while Folic Acid is abundant in leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, and fortified foods.