Vitamin C

            
            
            
             Vitamin provides many functions for the body. Its main purpose is to act as a reducing agent. The reduction process occurs by the donating of electrons and neutrons to other compounds (Nutrition 390). This function of Vitamin C leads to many other services that Vitamin C provides for the body. For instance, Vitamin C is a large contributor to the synthesis of collagen (Brodsky 1). Collagen is a protein that provides the body with connective tissue. This connective tissue is used to keep the body together. There are four types of collagen that can be found in the body. Type I is found in the fibers of the body, specifically in the tendons (Brodsky 1). The purpose of a tendon is to provide a connection from the muscle to the bone structure in the body, which provides power for movement of joints (Cotton 22). Type I is the most common type of collagen found in the body. For instance, the tendon that occupies the area in one's knee is known as the patella tendon, which provides movement in the knee. .
             Type II collagen can be found in the cartilage in the body (Brodsky 1). Cartilage serves as padding between where the joints and the bones meet in the skeleton (Cotton 22). For example, a person's ears, nose, and knees all contain cartilage. Type III collagen can be found under type I in the body's blood vessels and skin (Brodsky 1). The last type of collagen, type IV, is found in the basement membranes in the body. These membranes are used to separate cell layers (Brodsky 1). An important function performed by type IV involves the kidneys. The collagen acts as a filter to determine which molecules will pass through the blood and into one's urine (Brodsky 1). Vitamin C is a big contributor to the production of collagen. It provides the body with the correct necessities to produce connective tissues throughout the body. .
             Another function that is provided by Vitamin C involves its position as an antioxidant in the body.