Question

What are vitamins? Write the sources of vitamins-A, B, C and D. Name the disease caused due to the deficiency of these vitamins.

Answer 1

Vitamins:

1. Vitamins are a group of nutrients that are required in fewer amounts to our body.
2. These are essential for the proper functioning of the body but it does not provide energy.
3. They are divided into two classes:

• Fat-soluble: Vitamin- A, D, E and K.
• Water-soluble: Vitamin B-complex and vitamin C.

Sources of vitamins:

Vitamin A: It can be obtained from milk, carrot, fish liver oil, eggs, green vegetables, papaya, etc.

Vitamin B: It comprises a group of vitamins that can be obtained from eggs, meat, whole grains, cereals, fish, potatoes, etc.

Vitamin C: It can be obtained from citrus fruits, tomato, guava, amla, etc.

Vitamin D: It is obtained from milk, butter, green vegetables and sunlight(which helps our skin to prepare it).

Vitamin K: It is obtained from egg yolk, soyabean oil, green vegetable(like spinach), etc.

Chart showing various vitamins and disorders that are caused due to its deficiency:

Vitamins	Disorders due to deficiency
Vitamin A	Nightblindness (Loss of vision).
Vitamin B1	Beri-beri.
Vitamin B6	Anaemia.
Vitamin C	Scurvy, swelling of gums.
Vitamin D	Rickets, Osteomalacia.
Vitamin E	Fertility loss.
Vitamin K	Non-clotting of blood.