Logo Dictionary of Botany
header1 header2
Main Menu
Home
entries
Search
Popular
Home arrow entries arrow I arrow inositol

inositol

A sugar alcohol formed by the complete hydroxylation of cyclohexane. The myo isomer is the only isomer with biological significance. Myoinositol is synthesized in a two-stage reaction from glucose 6-phosphate. Its hexaphosphate ester, phytic acid, is an important storage product in seeds; in germinating seeds and young seedlings it is thought that the phytic acid is converted to myoinositol. This then undergoes oxidation to form glucuronic acid; thus phytic acid acts as a source of uronic acids for synthesis of cell-wall components.

 
< Prev   Next >
Alphabetical Listing

A B C D E
F G H I J
K L M N O
P Q R S T
U  V  W  X  Y
Z
footer1 footer2
send feedback