ScienceAugust 16, 2026

cobalamin

koh-BAL-uh-min

Definition

The chemical name for vitamin B12, an essential nutrient required for critical biological functions like DNA synthesis and nerve health.

Etymology

The term is derived from the chemical root 'cobalt,' as it is a cobalt-containing compound, combined with 'amine,' referring to the nitrogen-containing chemical group it contains.

In the news

The article uses this term as the formal scientific name for vitamin B12, emphasizing its scarcity and its role as a vital resource that bacteria must either manufacture or obtain from their environment.

Scientists Solve a Vitamin B12 Mystery With an Unexpected Culprit

Read the full article ↗

SciTechDaily

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