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Vitamin is an essential micronutrient that any organism needs in small quantities for proper functioning of the metabolism. Scientists have classified vitamins into two types: water-soluble and fat-soluble. A total of 13 vitamins are present in a human body. Out of these 13 vitamins, 4 are fat-soluble (Vitamin A, D, E, K) and 9 are water-soluble including 8 B vitamins and vitamin C.
Read Also: Difference between water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Vitamins, water-soluble, fat-soluble, organic compound, synthesized, coenzymes, deficiency
What are Vitamins?
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A Vitamin is a set of molecules closely related to each other chemically, an organic compound. These are vital nutrients that help in performing biological functions and should be added to our diet in some amount. A human body needs some essential vitamins in small quantities for normal health and growth.
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|---|---|---|
| Botany | Algae | Phaeophyceae |
| Cotyledon | The Classification of Plants | Thallophyte |
Vitamins are distinct from other compounds such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. Almost all of the latter compounds can be synthesized. However, in a human body vitamin cannot be synthesized, either at all or not in sufficient quantities to meet bodily needs and therefore must be obtained by a balanced diet.
Scientific Names of Vitamin: Biological Functions, Symptoms of Deficiency
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| Common Name | Scientific Name | Biological function | Symptoms of deficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water - Soluble | |||
| Vitamin B1 | Thiamine | Supports nerve function; a component of coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism | Impairment of nerves and wasting of heart muscles |
| Vitamin B2 | Riboflavin | Required for energy production; an antioxidant | Inflammation of tongue, lips and skin; ocular problems and nervous symptoms |
| Vitamin B3 | Niacin | Used broadly in cellular metabolism, oxidation of fuel molecules, steroid synthesis, and fatty acid | Gastrointestinal, skin lesions, nervous symptoms |
| Vitamin B5 | Pantothenic acid | Essential for metabolism; cofactor for fatty acids or elongation | General weakness, gastrointestinal disturbance, fatigue, sleep disturbance, restlessness, nausea and nervous symptoms |
| Vitamin B6 | Pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine | Component of coenzymes in metabolism of amino acids and nitrogen containing compounds; synthesis of haemoglobin, regulation of blood glucose levels | Mental depression, confusion, dermatitis, anaemia |
| Vitamin B7 | Biotin | Cofactor in carbohydrate, fatty acid and amino acid metabolism | Dermatitis, hair loss, conjunctivitis, neurological symptoms |
| Vitamin B9 | Folic Acid, folacin, folate | Required for cell division, maturation of red blood cells; component of coenzymes in DNA synthesis, metabolism of amino acids | Impaired formation of red blood cells, irritability, headache, palpitations, inflammation of mouth, neural tube defects in foetus |
| Vitamin B12 | Cobalamin, cyanocobalamin | Metabolism of amino acids, folic acids, fatty acids; required for new cell synthesis, normal blood formation and neurological function | Gastrointestinal disturbances, nervous symptoms, smoothness of the tongue |
| Vitamin C | Ascorbic acid | An antioxidant; Synthesis of collagen, carnitine, amino acids, and hormones; immune functions; enhances absorption of non-heme iron (from plan based foods) | Swollen, bleeding gums, soreness or stiffness of joints, lower extremities, bleeding under the skin and in deep tissues, slow wound healing, anemia |
| Fat - Soluble | |||
| Vitamin A | Retinol, retinoic acid | Integrity of epithelial cells (skin and mucous membranes), reproduction, embryonic development, growth, immune response | Ocular disturbances leading to lost of eye sight, growth retardation, dry skin, diarrhoea, vulnerability to infection |
| Vitamin D | calciferol | Maintenance of blood, phosphorous levels and calcium, proper mineralization of bones | Defective bone growth in children, soft bones in adults |
| Vitamin E | alpha-tocopherol, tocopherol, tocotrienol | Antioxidant; interruption of free radical chain reactions; protection of polyunsaturated fatty acids, cell membranes | Breakdown of red blood cells, peripheral neuropathy |
| Vitamin K | Phylloquinone, menaquinone | Bone metabolism, synthesis of proteins involved in blood coagulation | Impaired clotting of the blood and internal bleeding |
Read more : botanical name of bajra, rice
Sources of Vitamins
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| Vitamins | Sources |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A | Green leafy vegetables, nuts, tomatoes, oranges, ripe yellow fruits, guava, milk, carrots, broccoli, watermelon. |
| Vitamin D | Cod liver oil, egg yolk, chicken breast, adequate exposure to sunlight. |
| Vitamin E | Potatoes, pumpkin, guava, milk, nuts and seeds. |
| Vitamin K | Tomatoes, broccoli, mangoes, grapes, chestnuts, cashew nuts, beef and lamb. |
| Vitamin B1 | Fresh fruits, corn, cashew nuts, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, wheat milk, dates, black beans, etc. |
| Vitamin B2 | Bananas, grapes, mangoes, peas, pumpkin, dates, yoghurt, milk, mushrooms, popcorn, beef liver, etc. |
| Vitamin B3 | Meat, eggs, fish, milk products, guava, mushroom, peanuts, cereals, green peas, etc. |
| Vitamin B5 | Meat, kidney beans, egg yolk, broccoli, peanuts, fish, chicken, milk, yoghurt, legumes, mushrooms, avocado, etc. |
| Vitamin B6 | Pork, chicken, fish, bread, wholegrain cereals, eggs, vegetables, soya beans, etc. |
| Vitamin B7 | Walnuts, peanuts, cereals, milk, egg yolks, salmon, pork, mushroom, cauliflower, avocados, bananas, raspberries, etc. |
| Vitamin B9 | Citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beets, etc. |
| Vitamin B12 | Fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, etc. |
| Vitamin C | Fresh citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit, broccoli, goat milk, black currant, and chestnuts. |
Things to Remember
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- Vitamin B3, Vitamin D and Vitamin K are the only vitamins that a human body can synthesize itself.
- Vitamin E and C acts as an antioxidant which helps prevent cell damage.
- Even though Vitamin B12 is found in so many foods, the deficiency of B12 is relatively common.
- Low levels of vitamin C and B12 causes iron deficiency anemia, which is the most common type of deficiency.
- Vitamin C requirement is increased by as much as 35mg for smokers and passive smokers.
- The amount of vitamins we need is very small. Excess of any vitamin in the body causes serious health problems referred to as vitamin toxicity.
- Water-soluble vitamins are best taken from raw foods as they can be lost when exposed to heat, light or air.
- Long and slow cooking of vegetables depletes their vitamin content.
- B vitamins and vitamin C cannot be stored in the body and must be taken daily.
- Iron is very important as without it the body cannot transplant oxygen via blood cells. Taking Vitamin C on a daily basis ensures absorption of iron in our body.
Read Further:
Previous Years Questions
- Which one of the following is considered important in the development of seed habit?….[NEET 2009]
- exception in Angiosperms….[NEET 2002]
- Bryophyta is a group of embryo…. [NEET 1999]
- The antherozoids of Funaria are….[NEET 1999]
- Bryophytes comprise….[NEET 1999]
- Dichotomous branching is found in….[NEET 1999]
- Brown algae is characterised by….[NEET 1997]
- A gymnospermic leaf carries….[NEET 1996]
- Pteridophytes differ from bryophytes and thallophytes...[NEET 1993]
- Chloroplast of Chlamydomonas is….[NEET 1993]
- In Ulothrix/Spirogyra, reduction division….[NEET 1993]
- Pteridophytes differ from mosses….[NEET 1993]
- A student observed an algae with chlorophyll...[NEET 2000]
- In ferns, meiosis takes place at the time of…..[NEET 2000]
- Plant group with largest ovule, largest tree….[NEET 2000]
Sample Questions
Ques. What are vitamins?
Ans. Vitamins are organic compounds which help in performing biological functions in humans. These are some very important nutrients that should be added to daily diet in a required amount. Lack of any vitamin in the body can increase the risk of acquiring health issues.
Ques. Explain the classification of vitamins.
Ans. Vitamins are classified into two categories:
- Water-soluble vitamins
- Fat-soluble vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins are the types that are dissolved in water and readily absorbed into tissues for immediate use. They need to be replenished regularly in the diet. Any excess of these vitamins is quickly excreted in urine. The water-soluble vitamins include the B-complex group (Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12) and vitamin C.
Fat-soluble vitaminsare absorbed by fat globules that travel through small intestines and distributed through the body in the bloodstream. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, excess fat-soluble vitamins are stored in liver and fatty (adipose) tissues for future use. These vitamins are mostly found in high-fat foods and are better absorbed if consumed with fat. The fat-soluble vitamins include Vitamin A, D, E, K.
Ques. What are the functions of vitamins in a human body?
Ans. Vitamins help in increasing the efficiency of the body and overall health. These organic compounds offer a wide range of health benefits some of which are:
- Helps in metabolism and boosting immunity.
- Maintaining healthy skin.
- Aiding brain and nervous system functioning.
- Strengthening teeth and bones.
- Supporting healthy blood flow.
Ques. Can a human body synthesize vitamins? If yes, which ones?
Ans. A human body can synthesize a few vitamins such as vitamin D, as this vitamin is not available in large enough quantities in food. Along with Vitamin D, a human body can synthesize Vitamin K and vitamin B3 itself.
Ques. How to know if you have vitamin deficiencies in the body?
Ans. Inadequate intake of vitamins results in the deficiency of vitamins in the body. It can be severe or mild according to the degree of vitamin deprivation. Some common signs of deficiencies are:
- Brittle hair and nails.
- Mouth ulcers or cracks in the corners of the mouth.
- Bleeding gums
- Poor night vision and white growth on the eyes
- Hair loss, scaly patches, and dandruff
- Restless leg syndrome
Ques. When was Vitamin A first discovered?
Ans. In 1912, a biochemist named Frederick Gowland Hopkins found unknown factors present in milk that were not just fats, proteins, or carbohydrates, but were required to boost growth in rats.
Ques. Which vitamins are known as 'Brain Vitamins'?
Ans. Water-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin B6, B9 and B12 are found extremely essential for brain health and are known as 'brain vitamins'.
Ques. Which vitamin deficiency is rare in humans?
Ans. Vitamin E deficiency is rare in humans as it is very unlikely caused by a diet consisting of low vitamin E in it. Rather, this deficiency is caused by irregularities in dietary fat absorption. Vitamin E deficiency is rare unless a person has an underlying health condition.
Ques. Is taking multivitamins bad for health?
Ans. If a person's diet does not contain all the required vitamins and minerals or he/she is facing some deficiency due to some underlying health issue, then taking a multivitamin is a good option.
Ques. How to avoid vitamin deficiency in the body?
Ans. The best way to prevent vitamin deficiency is by eating a well-balanced diet on a daily basis. Haing loads of fruits and vegetables and including dairy products in your meals helps our body get all the essential vitamins.
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