What was the significance of Hodgkin's B12 structure?
Determining the structure of vitamin B12 was a monumental undertaking, a true testament to the power of X-ray crystallography when applied to molecules of immense complexity. The structure revealed a cobalt atom at the center of a corrin ring system, a novel and intricate arrangement. This detailed understanding of its architecture was fundamental to comprehending its role in pernicious anemia and in various metabolic processes within the body. The structure reveals a great deal about its function, showing how this elaborate molecule could interact with biological targets. It demonstrated that molecules of such sophisticated architecture could indeed exist and operate within living organisms.
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