function

Last reviewed 10/2023

• vitamin A is necessary for the normal growth of epithelial tissue
• aids in the synthesis of polysaccharides
• vitamin A is essential for formation of visual pigment, rhodopsin:
• the aldehyde of vitamin A, retinal, is configured as the cis isomer and bound to the protein opsin
• light modifies the molecule to switch it to its trans form
• may have a role in protection against degenerative and neoplastic change