RRB Group D Science Vitamin By Arti Mam

RRB Group D Science Vitamin: Vitamins are essential micronutrients needed in small amounts for proper body functions. They do not provide energy but help in metabolism, growth, and disease prevention. Vitamins are classified into fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) and water-soluble (B-complex, C). Lack of vitamins can cause serious diseases like scurvy, rickets, anemia, and bone disorders.

Understanding vitamin sources, chemical names, functions, synthesis, and storage is important for exams like RRB Group D. Key roles include Vitamin D for calcium absorption, Vitamin K for blood clotting, and Vitamin B12 for nerve health and blood formation.

Also Read:

• RRB Group D Syllabus
• RRB Group D Previous Year Question Papers

Vitamins: Essential Micronutrients

Vitamins are a class of micronutrients vital for the body's proper functioning. Unlike macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, vitamins do not supply energy directly. However, they are indispensable organic compounds that facilitate metabolic processes, and their absence can lead to various serious illnesses.

Q1. Vitamins are classified as:
A. Energy-giving nutrients
B. Inorganic compounds
C. Organic compounds required in small amounts
D. Digestive enzymes

Answer: C. Organic compounds required in small amounts

Q2. Why are vitamins called micronutrients?
A. They give high energy
B. They are needed in very small quantities
C. They form body structure
D. They replace carbohydrates

Answer: B. They are needed in very small quantities

Origin of the Term "Vitamin"

The term "vitamin" was first extensively used and its critical importance explained by Casimir Funk in 1912. He highlighted that a deficiency in these substances could cause significant health issues. The word "vitamin" is derived from Latin, combining "vita" (meaning life) and "amine".

Q3. Who first used the term “Vitamin”?
A. J.C. Bose
B. Charles Darwin
C. Casimir Funk
D. Louis Pasteur

Answer: C. Casimir Funk

Q4. The word “Vitamin” is derived from which language?
A. Greek
B. Latin
C. German
D. French

 Answer: B. Latin

Classification of Vitamins

Vitamins are broadly classified into two main groups based on their solubility:

1. Fat-Soluble Vitamins: These dissolve in fat and are often stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver.

• Vitamin K

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin A
  (Memory Tip: A mnemonic to remember the fat-soluble vitamins is the word "KIDA" (कीड़ा), representing vitamins K, E, D, and A.)

2. Water-Soluble Vitamins: These dissolve in water and are not stored in the body for long periods, requiring regular intake.

• Vitamin B (complex)

• Vitamin C

Q5. Vitamins are mainly classified into how many groups?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four

 Answer: B. Two

Q6. Which are the two main groups of vitamins?
A. Natural and synthetic
B. Essential and non-essential
C. Fat-soluble and water-soluble
D. Plant and animal vitamins

 Answer: C. Fat-soluble and water-soluble

Chemical Names of Vitamins

Understanding the chemical names of vitamins is crucial for studying their properties and functions:

Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Their Chemical Names

• Vitamin K: Phylloquinone

• Vitamin E: Tocopherol

• Vitamin D: Calciferol

• Vitamin A: Retinol

Q7. Which of the following is a fat-soluble vitamin?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin B12
C. Vitamin A
D. Vitamin B6

 Answer: C. Vitamin A

Q8. Which vitamin helps in blood clotting?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin E
D. Vitamin K

 Answer: D. Vitamin K

Q9. Which vitamin is known as the Beauty Vitamin?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin E

 Answer: D. Vitamin E

Water-Soluble Vitamins and Their Chemical Names

• Vitamin B1: Thiamine (part of the B-complex)

• Vitamin C: Ascorbic Acid

Q10. Which of the following is a water-soluble vitamin?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin E
D. Vitamin C

 Answer: D. Vitamin C

Q11. Vitamins B and C belong to which category?
A. Fat-soluble
B. Water-soluble
C. Hormonal vitamins
D. Stored vitamins

 Answer: B. Water-soluble

Vitamin Functions and Deficiency Diseases

Vitamins play diverse roles in maintaining health, and their deficiency can lead to specific diseases:

• Vitamin K (Phylloquinone): Essential for blood clotting.

• Vitamin E (Tocopherol): Known as the "Beauty Vitamin," it acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from damage. Deficiency can cause infertility in both males and females.

• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Deficiency leads to scurvy, characterized by bleeding gums.

• Vitamin D (Calciferol): Crucial for calcium absorption. Deficiency causes Rickets in children (bowed legs) and Osteoporosis (bone density loss) or Osteomalacia (softening of bones) in adults.

Q12. What is the chemical name of Vitamin A?
A. Calciferol
B. Tocopherol
C. Retinol
D. Phylloquinone

 Answer: C. Retinol

Q13. What is the chemical name of Vitamin C?
A. Citric acid
B. Lactic acid
C. Ascorbic acid
D. Folic acid

 Answer: C. Ascorbic acid

Q14. What is the chemical name of Vitamin K?
A. Retinol
B. Calciferol
C. Tocopherol
D. Phylloquinone

 Answer: D. Phylloquinone

The B-Complex Vitamins

The B-complex family comprises several water-soluble vitamins, each with distinct roles: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12.

Chemical Names of B-Vitamins

(Memory Tip: A mnemonic to remember the chemical names of the B-vitamins is the Hindi phrase: "थी रोई निया परंतु परिश्रम बिना फल खाए" (Thi Royi Nia parantu parishram bina fal khaaye).

• B1: Thiamine

• B2: Riboflavin

• B3: Niacin

• B5: Pantothenic Acid

• B6: Pyridoxine

• B7: Biotin

• B9: Folic Acid

• B12: Cyanocobalamin

Key B-Vitamins and Their Significance

• Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin): Uniquely contains cobalt. Its deficiency can cause Megaloblastic Anemia.

• Brain Vitamins: Vitamins B6, B9, and B12 are collectively referred to as "Brain Vitamins" due to their importance for neurological function.

Q15. Which vitamin contains cobalt?
A. Vitamin B6
B. Vitamin B7
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin B9

 Answer: C. Vitamin B12

Q16. What is the chemical name of Vitamin B6?
A. Thiamine
B. Riboflavin
C. Pyridoxine
D. Biotin

 Answer: C. Pyridoxine

Q17. What is the chemical name of Vitamin B7?
A. Niacin
B. Biotin
C. Folic acid
D. Cyanocobalamin

 Answer: B. Biotin

Q18. Cyanocobalamin is the chemical name of:
A. Vitamin B6
B. Vitamin B9
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin C

 Answer: C. Vitamin B12

Q19. Deficiency of Vitamin C causes:
A. Rickets
B. Night blindness
C. Scurvy
D. Beriberi

 Answer: C. Scurvy

Q20. Deficiency of Vitamin D in children causes:
A. Scurvy
B. Rickets
C. Anemia
D. Pellagra

 Answer: B. Rickets

Q21. Vitamin D is essential for:
A. Blood clotting
B. Vision
C. Calcium absorption
D. Digestion

 Answer: C. Calcium absorption

Vitamin Synthesis and Storage

This section explains how certain vitamins are produced inside the body and where important vitamins are stored for later use.

Synthesis in the Body

• Vitamin D: The human body can synthesize Vitamin D rapidly. Sunlight converts ergosterol in the skin into Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol).

• Vitamin K and B12: These vitamins are synthesized in the large intestine by E. coli bacteria.

Vitamin Storage

All fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are primarily stored in the liver. For example, the liver converts Beta-carotene (found in carrots) into Vitamin A.

Q22. Which vitamin is synthesized in the body with the help of sunlight?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin B
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin D

 Answer: D. Vitamin D

Q23. All fat-soluble vitamins are mainly stored in which organ?
A. Kidney
B. Heart
C. Liver
D. Lungs

 Answer: C. Liver

Vitamins as "Accessory Food Factors"

Vitamins are also known as "accessory food factors." This term highlights their indispensable nature; while they don't provide energy, they are crucial for overall health and proper bodily functions.

• Vitamin D Deficiency: Can cause persistent fatigue and sleepiness, often due to insufficient sun exposure.

• Vitamin B12 Deficiency: May manifest as unexplained and persistent pain in the legs. This vitamin is predominantly found in non-vegetarian foods, with limited vegetarian sources.

Q24. Vitamins are also known as:
A. Macronutrients
B. Energy foods
C. Accessory food factors
D. Growth hormones

 Answer: C. Accessory food factors

RRB Group D Selection Process

Preserving Vitamin Content

Water-soluble vitamins, such as Vitamin B and Vitamin C, are easily lost when vegetables are washed after being peeled or chopped. To preserve nutrient content, vegetables should always be washed thoroughly before cutting.

Anti-Cancer Vitamins

Several vitamins act as antioxidants and contribute to cancer prevention. These include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E. Among them, Vitamin E is considered one of the most potent antioxidant vitamins.

Vitamins and Reproductive Health

Deficiency in Vitamin E can lead to significant reproductive issues, including infertility and sterility, in both men and women.

Vitamins and Calcium Absorption

Vitamin D is absolutely essential for the absorption of calcium in the body. Without adequate Vitamin D, the body cannot effectively utilize dietary calcium, even if calcium intake is sufficient.

Q25. Even with enough calcium, bones remain weak due to lack of:
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin B
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin D

 Answer: D. Vitamin D

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