Vitamins: Key Notes & Top 25 MCQs for UPSC Exams
Vitamins are one of the most important nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Although they are needed in small amounts, vitamins play a crucial role in the proper functioning of all body systems. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to a variety of physical and mental problems. This article will help you learn about the types of vitamins, their specific benefits, foods to get them from, symptoms of deficiencies, appropriate dosages, and prevention methods. You can read this article and identify the vitamins your body needs and live a healthy life.
Glossary of Key Vitamin Terms & Their Functions
| Vitamin | Function / Deficiency / Source |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A | Essential for vision, skin health; deficiency causes night blindness. Found in carrots, spinach, and eggs. |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | Helps nerves; deficiency causes beriberi. Found in whole grains and nuts. |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | Supports cell growth; deficiency causes ariboflavinosis. Found in milk, eggs. |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | Aids digestion; deficiency leads to pellagra. Found in poultry, legumes. |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) | Supports energy; deficiency causes fatigue, cramps. Found in mushrooms, avocados. |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | Essential for nerves; deficiency causes anemia. Found in bananas, chickpeas. |
| Vitamin B7 (Biotin) | Good for hair and skin; deficiency causes dermatitis. Found in egg yolks, seeds. |
| Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) | Crucial for fetal brain development; deficiency causes anemia. Found in spinach, lentils. |
| Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) | Supports hemoglobin; deficiency causes pernicious anemia. Found in dairy, fish. |
| Vitamin C | Boosts immunity, repairs tissues; deficiency causes scurvy. Found in citrus fruits. |
| Vitamin D | Strengthens bones; deficiency causes rickets, arthritis. Synthesized from sunlight, found in eggs, fish. |
| Vitamin E | Antioxidant for skin and cells; deficiency causes dryness. Found in almonds, leafy greens. |
| Vitamin K | Helps in blood clotting; deficiency causes bleeding. Found in green leafy vegetables. |
What Are Vitamins?
Vitamins are organic substances that the body needs in trace amounts. They are important in maintaining body functions, boosting immunity, and producing energy.
-
Vitamins help in the daily breakdown of body cells and the repair of cells.
-
They are part of many important processes in the body, such as metabolism, hormone production, and nerve function.
-
Since vitamins cannot be produced by the body, they must be consumed through food.
-
Each vitamin has a specific function, and therefore, its deficiency can lead to different health problems.
What are the Types of Vitamins?
There are two primary categories of vitamins: water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins. Both types are equally necessary for the body.
-
Fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K. The body's adipose tissues may store them.
-
Water-soluble vitamins are the B group vitamins and vitamin C. Since they are not stored in the body, they must be consumed daily from the diet.
-
Each vitamin performs a specific function in the body, so it is necessary to consume them in a balanced manner.
-
Vitamin deficiency can cause serious health problems, so it is important to take it carefully.
How is Vitamin A helpful?
The body's ability to see clearly, skin cell regeneration, and mucous membrane health all depend on vitamin A (retinol).
-
It helps in improving the ability to see, especially in dim light.
-
Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, blurred vision, and skin problems.
-
Vitamin A-rich foods include eggs, dairy products, mangoes, spinach, and carrots.
-
The body needs to maintain healthy bones and improve the immune system.
How is Vitamin B Group Useful?
The vitamin B group consists of several vitamins—B1 to B12. These are essential for energy production and nerve health. Here is a list of each vitamin in the Vitamin B group, its chemical name, main use, and the specific disease name (deficiency disease) caused by its deficiency in Telugu, in one sentence each:
-
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)—Vitamin B1 deficiency, which is essential for the nervous system, causes a disease called beriberi.
-
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)—Vitamin B2 deficiency, which is essential for cell growth, causes a condition called riboflavinosis.
-
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)—Vitamin B3 deficiency, which is essential for digestive health, causes a disease called pellagra.
-
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)—Vitamin B5 deficiency, which is essential for energy production, causes problems like headaches, fatigue, and leg cramps.
-
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)—Vitamin B6 deficiency, which is essential for nerve health, causes anemia and skin disorders.
-
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)—Vitamin B7 is essential for hair and skin health and can cause dermatitis and alopecia.
-
Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)—Vitamin B9 is essential for the development of the baby’s brain and can cause megaloblastic anemia and neural tube defects in the womb.
-
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)—Vitamin B12 is essential for the hemoglobin level in the blood and can cause pernicious anemia.
Major Food Items & Their Key Vitamins
| Food Item | Key Vitamins Present |
|---|---|
| Almonds | Packed with Vitamin E for skin health. |
| Bananas | Contain Vitamin B6 and some C. |
| Broccoli | Contains Vitamins C, K, and folate (B9). |
| Carrots | Rich in Vitamin A for vision and skin. |
| Citrus Fruits | High in Vitamin C for immunity. |
| Eggs | Good source of Vitamins A, D, E, and B12. |
| Fish (Salmon) | Provides Vitamins D and B12. |
| Milk | Supplies Vitamins D and B2. |
| Spinach | Contains Vitamins A, C, E, and K. |
| Tomatoes | Have Vitamin C and some A. |
How is Vitamin C Useful?
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plays a key role in increasing the body’s immunity, repairing cells, and preventing wrinkles.
-
It is a part of the production of collagen in the body and improves skin health.
A lack of vitamin C results in scurvy, bleeding, and skin inflammation.
-
Fruits like lemon, oranges, mango, and tomato are the primary sources of this vitamin.
It facilitates the body's superior absorption of iron.
How is Vitamin D Helpful?
Vitamin D (calciferol) helps the body with bone strength, calcium absorption, and anti-inflammatory activities.
-
It is mainly produced in the body through sunlight.
-
Vitamin D deficiency causes bone pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and mood disorders.
Vitamin D can be found in foods including eggs, salmon, and dairy.
-
It is important for the growth and strength of bones in children.
What is the Importance of Vitamin E?
Vitamin E (tocopherol) acts as a powerful antioxidant. It is essential for cell protection, skin health, and blood circulation.
-
It helps protect the body from free radicals.
Dry skin, hyperpigmentation, and fertility issues might result from a vitamin E deficit.
-
Almonds, green leafy vegetables, ghee, and green oils are high in vitamin E.
-
It also helps improve hair health.
How is Vitamin K Important?
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) is a vitamin required for the blood clotting process in the body. It helps control bleeding.
Deficits in vitamin K can cause delayed bruising and excessive bleeding.
-
Green leafy vegetables, broccoli, spinach, and, to some extent, eggs contain this vitamin.
-
It is essential for bone health, pregnant women, and newborn babies.
-
It is normally produced in small amounts by the body in the human uterus.
Common Deficiency Diseases & Their Related Vitamins
| Deficiency Disease | Vitamin Involved |
|---|---|
| Ariboflavinosis | Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) |
| Beriberi | Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) |
| Dry Eyes & Skin Issues | Vitamin A |
| Easy Bruising & Bleeding | Vitamin K |
| Fatigue & Neural Defects in Pregnancy | Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) |
| Hair Loss & Brittle Nails | Vitamin B7 (Biotin) |
| Memory Loss & Pernicious Anemia | Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) |
| Muscle Weakness & Vision Problems | Vitamin E |
| Night Blindness | Vitamin A |
| Osteomalacia (Adults) - Bone Problem | Vitamin D |
| Pellagra (3Ds – Diarrhea, Dermatitis, Dementia) | Vitamin B3 (Niacin) |
| Poor Wound Healing & Scurvy | Vitamin C |
| Rickets (Children) | Vitamin D |
| Skin Inflammation & Anemia | Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) |
| Tiredness, Cramps & Headaches | Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) |
Top 25 MCQs on Vitamins for UPSC Exams
Test your understanding of vitamins through 25 carefully designed UPSC-level MCQs covering types, sources, functions, deficiencies, toxicity, and their importance in human health.
1. Vitamins are classified into two main groups based on their solubility. What are they?
a) Acid-soluble and Base-soluble
b) Fat-soluble and Water-soluble
c) Cold-soluble and Hot-soluble
d) Organic and Inorganic
Expand Text
Answer: b) Fat-soluble and Water-soluble
Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are stored in the body's fatty tissue. Water-soluble vitamins (C, B-complex) dissolve in water and are not stored efficiently.
2. Which vitamin is chemically known as "Ascorbic Acid"?
a) Vitamin A
b) Vitamin C
c) Vitamin D
d) Vitamin K
Expand Text
Answer: b) Vitamin C
It is crucial for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body and is a powerful antioxidant.
3. Night Blindness (Nyctalopia) is caused by a deficiency of:
a) Vitamin A (Retinol)
b) Vitamin B1
c) Vitamin C
d) Vitamin D
Expand Text
Answer: a) Vitamin A (Retinol)
Vitamin A is essential for the formation of rhodopsin, a pigment in the eye's retina that allows vision in low light.
4. Which vitamin is often called the "Sunshine Vitamin"?
a) Vitamin A
b) Vitamin B12
c) Vitamin D
d) Vitamin E
Expand Text
Answer: c) Vitamin D
The skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun.
5. "Scurvy," characterized by bleeding gums and loose teeth, is a deficiency of:
a) Vitamin C
b) Vitamin K
c) Vitamin B6
d) Iron
Expand Text
Answer: a) Vitamin C
[Image of scurvy bleeding gums]
Vitamin C is vital for collagen synthesis. Without it, blood vessels and connective tissues weaken and break easily.
6. Which vitamin helps blood to clot, preventing excessive bleeding?
a) Vitamin A
b) Vitamin E
c) Vitamin K
d) Vitamin C
Expand Text
Answer: c) Vitamin K
The "K" comes from the German word "Koagulation." It produces prothrombin, a protein and clotting factor.
7. "Rickets" in children (soft, bowed bones) is caused by a lack of:
a) Vitamin A
b) Vitamin D and Calcium
c) Vitamin E
d) Vitamin B12
Expand Text
Answer: b) Vitamin D and Calcium
[Image of rickets bow legs]
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Without it, bones become soft and deform under the body's weight.
8. Which B-vitamin is crucial for preventing neural tube defects (like Spina Bifida) in developing fetuses?
a) B1 (Thiamine)
b) B9 (Folic Acid / Folate)
c) B3 (Niacin)
d) B7 (Biotin)
Expand Text
Answer: b) B9 (Folic Acid / Folate)
This is why pregnant women are strongly advised to take prenatal vitamins containing Folic Acid.
9. "Beriberi" is a disease affecting the heart and nervous system caused by a deficiency of:
a) Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
b) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
c) Vitamin B12
d) Vitamin A
Expand Text
Answer: a) Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
It was historically common in populations consuming polished white rice, which has the thiamine-rich husk removed.
10. Vegans are most at risk for deficiency of which vitamin because it is found primarily in animal products?
a) Vitamin C
b) Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
c) Vitamin K
d) Vitamin E
Expand Text
Answer: b) Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
[Image of Vitamin B12 rich foods]
B12 is naturally found in meat, eggs, and dairy. Vegans must take supplements or fortified foods to avoid nerve damage and anemia.
11. Which vitamin acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cell membranes from damage?
a) Vitamin B1
b) Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
c) Vitamin D
d) Vitamin K
Expand Text
Answer: b) Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
It neutralizes free radicals, preventing them from damaging healthy cells. It is commonly found in nuts, seeds, and oils.
12. "Pellagra," characterized by the 4 Ds (Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Dementia, Death), is caused by lack of:
a) Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
b) Vitamin B1
c) Vitamin C
d) Vitamin D
Expand Text
Answer: a) Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
It was once a major epidemic in areas where people subsisted mainly on corn (maize) without preparing it in a way that released the niacin.
13. Why must Water-Soluble vitamins (B and C) be consumed almost daily?
a) They are expensive
b) The body cannot store them; excess is flushed out in urine
c) They evaporate
d) They turn into fat
Expand Text
Answer: b) The body cannot store them; excess is flushed out in urine
Unlike fat-soluble vitamins stored in the liver, water-soluble vitamins need regular replenishment.
14. Carrots are a famous source of Beta-Carotene, which the body converts into:
a) Vitamin C
b) Vitamin A
c) Vitamin D
d) Vitamin K
Expand Text
Answer: b) Vitamin A
Beta-carotene is a "provitamin" found in orange and yellow vegetables that serves as a safe source of Vitamin A.
15. Cracks at the corners of the mouth (Cheilosis) and sore tongue are signs of:
a) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) deficiency
b) Vitamin D deficiency
c) Vitamin E deficiency
d) Vitamin A deficiency
Expand Text
Answer: a) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) deficiency
Riboflavin is essential for energy production and skin health. It is found in milk, eggs, and green vegetables.
16. Which vitamin helps significantly in the absorption of Iron from plant-based foods?
a) Vitamin D
b) Vitamin C
c) Vitamin E
d) Vitamin B12
Expand Text
Answer: b) Vitamin C
Eating an orange or lemon with spinach or lentils converts the plant iron into a form the body can absorb more easily.
17. "Hypervitaminosis" is a condition caused by:
a) Lack of vitamins
b) Toxic accumulation of vitamins (usually fat-soluble ones)
c) Allergy to vitamins
d) Cooking vitamins
Expand Text
Answer: b) Toxic accumulation of vitamins (usually fat-soluble ones)
Since fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are stored in the body, taking excessive supplements can lead to toxicity.
18. Vitamin B7 is commonly known as "Biotin." It is famous for improving the health of:
a) Bones
b) Hair, Skin, and Nails
c) Eyes
d) Lungs
Expand Text
Answer: b) Hair, Skin, and Nails
Biotin plays a key role in the production of keratin, the protein that makes up hair and nails.
19. "Pernicious Anemia" is caused by the body's inability to absorb which vitamin?
a) Vitamin C
b) Vitamin B12
c) Vitamin B1
d) Vitamin A
Expand Text
Answer: b) Vitamin B12
This autoimmune condition attacks stomach cells that produce "intrinsic factor," a protein needed to absorb B12.
20. Which group of foods is the best source of Vitamin K?
a) Citrus fruits
b) Green leafy vegetables (Spinach, Kale)
c) Red meat
d) Dairy
Expand Text
Answer: b) Green leafy vegetables (Spinach, Kale)
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is abundant in plants and is essential for coagulation.
21. "Xerophthalmia" is a progressive eye disease characterized by dry eyes, caused by deficiency of:
a) Vitamin A
b) Vitamin B
c) Vitamin C
d) Vitamin D
Expand Text
Answer: a) Vitamin A
If untreated, the dryness can lead to corneal ulcers and permanent blindness.
22. Most B-vitamins function primarily as "Coenzymes," which means:
a) They build muscle
b) They help enzymes release energy from food (metabolism)
c) They clot blood
d) They store fat
Expand Text
Answer: b) They help enzymes release energy from food (metabolism)
They are essential for converting carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into fuel (ATP) for the body.
23. "Osteomalacia" is the adult version of Rickets, characterized by soft bones. It is due to a lack of:
a) Vitamin C
b) Vitamin D
c) Vitamin A
d) Vitamin E
Expand Text
Answer: b) Vitamin D
It leads to bone pain and muscle weakness, often in people with limited sun exposure or malabsorption issues.
24. Which cooking method generally preserves the most water-soluble vitamins (B and C) in vegetables?
a) Boiling for a long time
b) Steaming or Microwaving
c) Deep frying
d) Charring
Expand Text
Answer: b) Steaming or Microwaving
Boiling leaches vitamins into the water. Steaming uses minimal water and heat exposure, retaining nutrients.
25. The word "Vitamin" comes from "Vital Amine." Who coined this term?
a) Louis Pasteur
b) Casimir Funk
c) Alexander Fleming
d) Marie Curie
Expand Text
Answer: b) Casimir Funk
In 1912, he isolated a substance that prevented beriberi and called it a "vitamine" (vital amine).
Conclusion
Vitamins are an important part of the most essential nutrients for the health of the body. These play a key role in coordinating body functions, cell regeneration, and boosting immunity. Vitamin deficiency can cause many problems. Taking vitamins in the right amount in the diet can improve physical health. Through this article, you will be able to gain a complete understanding of vitamins. You can put this into practice and protect your health. If you find this article useful, please share it with others.
Online Courses, Reference Books, & Websites – Topic: Vitamins
| Category | Resources |
|---|---|
| Online Courses | |
| Reference Books |
|
| Websites |
|
.webp)
Nicely researched content.
ReplyDelete