| a deep-red crystalline, water-soluble solid, C63H88N14O14PCo, obtained from liver, milk, eggs, fish, oysters, and clams: a deficiency causes pernicious anemia and disorders of the nervous system. |
co·bal·a·min  (kō-bāl'ə-mĭn)  n. See vitamin B12. [cobal(t) + (vit)amin.] |
| vitamin B12 n. A complex compound containing cobalt, found especially in liver and widely used to treat pernicious anemia. Also called cobalamin, cyanocobalamin, extrinsic factor. |
cobalamin co·bal·a·min (kō-bāl'ə-mĭn) or co·bal·a·mine (-mēn')
n.
See vitamin B12.
| cobalamin (kō-bāl'ə-mĭn) Pronunciation Key
See vitamin B12. |
cobalamin
a complex water-soluble organic compound that is essential to a number of microorganisms and animals, including humans. Vitamin B12 aids in the development of red blood cells in higher animals. The vitamin, which is unique in that it contains a metallic ion, cobalt, has a complex chemical structure as shown:
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