Define the term folic acid

Define the term folic acid? Why is anemia caused by the deficiency of folic acid termed as megaloblastic anemia?

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The folic acid (whenever ionized it is termed as folate) is a coenzyme which participates in the synthesis and duplication of the DNA and for this cause it is basic for cell division. If there is not sufficient folic acid in cells with big turnover, such as red blood cells, they have their production decreased. In folic acid deficiency precursor cells (or reticulocytes) which would originate erythrocytes (or red blood cells) start cell division however the procedure is very slow whereas the cytoplasm growth is normal.

Therefore the cells became abnormally big; a typical characteristic of this type of anemia is termed as megaloblastic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia can be caused as well by vitamin B12 (or cyanocobalamin) deficiency as this vitamin is significant for cell division too. Both kinds of anemia are nutrient scarcity anemia.

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