Vitamins and Their Functions Quiz

Vitamins are organic nutrients that are essential for various bodily functions, but our bodies cannot produce them; hence, we need to obtain them through our diet. They perform roles like supporting normal growth and development, ensuring vital metabolic processes occur, and maintaining overall health.

Vitamins are categorized based on their solubility in water or fat. This classification determines how they are stored, absorbed, and potentially excreted from the body.

Water-soluble vitamins are not stored significantly in the body and require regular intake. Excess amounts are usually excreted through urine, minimizing the risk of toxicity.

Water-soluble vitamins include vitamin B-complex, a collective term for multiple B vitamins, and vitamin C.

Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body, primarily in the liver and fatty tissues. This storage allows for longer intervals between dietary intake; however, excessive consumption can lead to toxicity as they are not easily excreted.

Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamin A (important for vision), vitamin D (promotes calcium absorption), vitamin E (acts as an antioxidant), and vitamin K (essential for blood clotting).

Fat-soluble vitamins require bile for absorption in the intestines, traveling through the lymphatic system before entering the bloodstream along with dietary fats.

Water-soluble vitamins are absorbed directly into the bloodstream without requiring bile.

A fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision, skin health, and antioxidant activity.

A fat-soluble vitamin produced by the body in the presence of sunlight, crucial for calcium absorption and bone health.

A fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage.

A fat-soluble vitamin essential for blood clotting and bone health.

A deficiency of Vitamin A, characterized by night blindness, dry skin, and impaired epithelial tissue.

A deficiency of Vitamin D, leading to bone softening and deformities in children (rickets) or adults (osteomalacia).

A deficiency of Vitamin E can lead to anemia due to oxidative damage of red blood cells, increased susceptibility to cancer, and heart disease.

A deficiency of Vitamin K results in hemorrhagic diseases and uncontrolled bleeding due to impaired blood clotting.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid or anti-scorbutic vitamin, is a vital nutrient that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions.

Vitamin C acts as a reducing agent in numerous biochemical reactions, especially in the synthesis of collagen, the primary protein in connective tissues.

Collagen, a protein synthesized with the help of Vitamin C, is essential for the formation of bone matrix and cartilage, giving structural support to our bodies.

Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to various diseases.

Scurvy, a disease caused by Vitamin C deficiency, is characterized by weakening connective tissues, impaired wound healing, and increased susceptibility to infections.

Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron, a vital component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in our blood.

Vitamin C supports wound healing by promoting the production of collagen, which is crucial for tissue repair.

Vitamin C helps maintain healthy blood vessels by contributing to collagen synthesis, which provides structural integrity to blood vessels.

A deficiency of vitamin B12, characterized by fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and neurological problems. It results from either insufficient intake or impaired absorption of the vitamin.

Deficiency of folic acid, leading to large, immature red blood cells and improper DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells. It can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and neurological problems.

A group of birth defects that occur when the neural tube, which develops into the brain and spinal cord, doesn't close completely during pregnancy.

A nutrient essential for the synthesis of nucleic acids, crucial for DNA and RNA production, and certain amino acids. It plays a role in cell division and growth, making it crucial during pregnancy.

A complex vitamin containing cobalt, essential for the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins. It is crucial for the formation of red blood cells and the healthy functioning of the nervous system.

Compounds that neutralize free radicals, protecting cells from damage. They help prevent oxidative stress, which can contribute to chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.

Vitamins E, C, and A are known for their antioxidant properties.

Vitamins B9 and B12 play crucial roles in cell division and growth, making them especially important during pregnancy.