What role do vitamins play in cellular respiration?

Vitamins play a crucial role in cellular respiration primarily by acting as precursors to coenzymes that are essential for various biochemical reactions involved in the process. Many vitamins, particularly the B-vitamins, are converted in the body into coenzymes that participate in key metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain. These coenzymes facilitate enzymatic reactions that help break down glucose and other substrates, ultimately leading to the production of ATP.

For example, vitamin B1 (thiamine) is vital for the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, which feeds into the citric acid cycle. Similarly, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and niacin (vitamin B3) are components of coenzymes that carry electrons through the electron transport chain, which is critical for ATP synthesis.

This highlights the essential metabolic support that vitamins provide by enabling the enzymatic functions required during cellular respiration.