Cobalamin

/koʊˈbæləmɪn/ noun

Definition

Vitamin B12, a complex organic compound containing cobalt that is essential for nerve function, red blood cell formation, and DNA synthesis in all living organisms.

Etymology

From 'cobalt' (the element whose atom is central to the molecule) + '-amine' (indicating a chemical compound) + '-in' (a suffix for vitamins). The structure was finally determined in 1955, revealing the cobalt atom at its center.

Kelly Says

Cobalamin is absolutely wild because it's the only vitamin that contains a metal—a cobalt atom sits in the very center of the molecule like a crown jewel, and without it, your nervous system literally can't function properly!

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