Vitamins: Chemical Names & Deficiency Diseases (for Exams)

Vitamin questions are guaranteed marks in the General Science section because the facts never change. Learn the three columns — vitamin, chemical name, deficiency disease — and you're done. THE VITAMIN TABLE • Vitamin A — Retinol — deficiency: Night blindness, Xerophthalmia • Vitamin B1 — Thiamine — Beriberi • Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin — cracked lips, mouth sores (ariboflavinosis) • Vitamin B3 — Niacin — Pellagra • Vitamin B6 — Pyridoxine — anaemia • Vitamin B9 — Folic acid — anaemia (important in pregnancy) • Vitamin B12 — Cyanocobalamin — Pernicious anaemia • Vitamin C — Ascorbic acid — Scurvy (bleeding gums) • Vitamin D — Calciferol — Rickets (children), Osteomalacia (adults) • Vitamin E — Tocopherol — reproductive problems / sterility • Vitamin K — Phylloquinone — poor blood clotting FAT-SOLUBLE vs WATER-SOLUBLE • Fat-soluble: A, D, E, K (stored in the body). • Water-soluble: B-complex and C (not stored, needed regularly). • Memory trick: "A, D, E, K" are the fat-soluble four — the rest dissolve in water. GOOD-TO-KNOW • Vitamin D is made by our skin in sunlight — the "sunshine vitamin". • Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron and boosts immunity. • Scurvy and Beriberi are the two most-asked deficiency diseases. A SIMPLE WAY TO REMEMBER Pair the disease with the vitamin in a short phrase: "no A → no sight at night", "no C → scurvy", "no D → weak bones (rickets)". Phrases stick better than a bare table. Test yourself on Govt Exam Center's daily quiz.