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Calcitriol Synthesis and Action (Vit. D)

User Trap
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Final answer:

Vitamin D is produced in the skin and activated in the liver and kidneys to form calcitriol, which is crucial for calcium absorption and bone health. Deficiencies in vitamin D can cause bone diseases such as rickets and osteomalacia.

Step-by-step explanation:

The epidermal layer of human skin synthesizes vitamin D under the influence of UV radiation from sunlight. A precursor molecule, 7-dehydrocholesterol, found in the skin, is converted to cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). This is then processed in the liver into 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (calcidiol), followed by conversion in the kidneys into the bioactive form, calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol).

Calcitriol plays a critical role in maintaining proper serum levels of calcium and phosphorus, which support a variety of body functions such as bone health, muscle contractions, and cellular processes. Deficiencies in vitamin D can lead to conditions like rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, emphasizing the necessity of this nutrient.

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