menadione

Menadione is vitamin K3.

Chemical Formula: C₁₁H₈O₂

Other names: Vitamine K3, 2-Methyl-1,4-naphthalendione

Layman's explanation: Menadione is found in all plant cells. It is also produced by some bacteria, including bacteria lining the gastro-intestinal tract of humans. Menadione is an electron acceptor used in respiration, photosynthesis and other processes. It acts as an electron acceptor when chlorophyll is raised to an excited state, allowing for a non-photochemical energy decrease for chlorophyll when it returns to its ground state. Menadione is a fat soluble vitamin (vitamin K3) and is necessary for the production of prothrombin and five other blood clotting factors in humans. It also regulates bone calcification.

Keywords: photosynthesis, electron acceptor

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