Quick Answer: List of Vitamins, Chemical Names, Deficiency Diseases & Sources (One-Glance Chart)

Vitamins and Deficiency Diseases: Complete Chart with Sources

Vitamins are divided into fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) and water-soluble (B-complex and C) groups. Vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness, Vitamin C causes scurvy, Vitamin D causes rickets, and Vitamin K delays blood clotting. This complete vitamins and deficiency diseases chart with chemical names, sources and mnemonics covers every fact SSC, RRB, UPSC and Banking exams repeatedly ask.

What Are Vitamins? Definition and Classification for Exams

Vitamins are organic compounds required by the body in very small quantities for normal growth, metabolism and protection against diseases. The body cannot synthesise most of them in sufficient amounts, so they must be obtained through diet. In NCERT terminology, vitamins are called “accessory food factors” because they do not provide energy like carbohydrates, fats and proteins, yet life is impossible without them.

For exams, remember the classification:

• Fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E and K
• Water-soluble vitamins: B-complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12) and C

The term “vitamin” was coined by Casimir Funk (1912), from “vital amine” — a favourite one-liner in SSC and RRB papers.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins (A, D, E, K): Key Facts

• Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and adipose (fatty) tissue, so the body can maintain reserves.
• Because they accumulate, excess intake can cause hypervitaminosis (vitamin toxicity) — especially of A and D.
• Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting (coagulation); K stands for “Koagulation” in Danish.
• Vitamin D functions like a hormone and is unique in being synthesised by the skin in sunlight.
• Deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins is rare but can occur in fat-malabsorption disorders.

Water-Soluble Vitamins (B-Complex & C): Key Facts

• Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body (except B12, stored in the liver); excess amounts are excreted in urine.
• Hence, they must be consumed daily through diet.
• Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) is the largest vitamin in terms of molecular size — a repeated SSC question.
• Vitamin C is the most easily destroyed vitamin by heat and cooking.
• B-complex vitamins mainly act as coenzymes in metabolism.

Vitamin A: Chemical Name, Sources, Deficiency (Night Blindness, Xerophthalmia)

Vitamin A is chemically called Retinol. Its plant precursor, beta-carotene, is abundant in carrots — hence the name. Deficiency first causes night blindness (nyctalopia), the inability to see in dim light, followed by xerophthalmia (dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea), which can progress to permanent blindness. According to the World Health Organization, vitamin A deficiency remains a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness in developing countries — a frequently quoted GK fact.

Vitamin B-Complex Group: B1 to B12 Deficiency Diseases

• B1 (Thiamine): Deficiency causes Beri-beri — affecting nerves (dry beri-beri) or heart and limbs (wet beri-beri). Polished-rice-heavy diets trigger it.
• B2 (Riboflavin): Deficiency causes cheilosis (cracked lips) and angular stomatitis.
• B3 (Niacin): Deficiency causes Pellagra, marked by the “3 Ds” — dermatitis, diarrhoea and dementia.
• B6 (Pyridoxine): Deficiency causes convulsions and peripheral neuritis.
• B9 (Folic acid): Deficiency in pregnancy causes neural tube defects (spina bifida) in the foetus; also megaloblastic anaemia.
• B12 (Cyanocobalamin): Deficiency causes pernicious anaemia. B12 is found only in animal foods, so strict vegetarians may need supplements.

Vitamin C, D, E and K: Deficiency Diseases and Sources

• Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid): Deficiency causes Scurvy — bleeding gums, joint pain, delayed wound healing. Sources: amla, guava, citrus fruits. Human beings, apes and guinea pigs cannot synthesise vitamin C.
• Vitamin D (Calciferol): Deficiency causes Rickets in children (bowed legs, soft bones) and Osteomalacia in adults. It is the anti-rickets vitamin. Sources: fish liver oil, egg yolk, fortified milk, sunlight.
• Vitamin E (Tocopherol): Called the anti-sterility or fertility vitamin; deficiency is linked to reproductive disorders and muscle weakness. Sources: wheat germ oil, nuts, vegetable oils.
• Vitamin K (Phylloquinone): The clotting vitamin; deficiency delays blood coagulation and causes excessive bleeding. Sources: green leafy vegetables, cabbage, cauliflower.

Vitamins Made in the Human Body: Exam Favourites

• Vitamin D — synthesised in the skin in the presence of sunlight (UV rays). It is both a vitamin and a hormone.
• Vitamin K — synthesised by gut bacteria (intestinal flora).
• Biotin (B7) — also synthesised by intestinal bacteria.
• Niacin (B3) can be partially made from the amino acid tryptophan in the body.

These four one-liners appear again and again in RRB NTPC, SSC CGL and state exam papers.

Easy Mnemonics to Remember Vitamins and Deficiency Diseases

• “KEDA” or “ADEK” — fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K.
• “A for Ayurvedic eyes” — Vitamin A keeps eyes healthy.
• “C for Citrus, Cuts and Clotless gums” — Vitamin C from citrus; deficiency causes gum bleeding (poor healing).
• “D for Dhoop (sunlight)” — Vitamin D from sunshine; D for strong bones.
• “K for Koagulation” — Vitamin K clots blood.
• “1-3-9-12 rhyme” — B1 Beri-beri, B3 Pellagra (3 Ds), B9 for the newborn spine, B12 Anaemia pernicious.
• “3 Ds of Pellagra” — Dermatitis, Diarrhoea, Dementia (remember: B3 = 3 Ds).
• “E for Expecting” — Vitamin E, the fertility vitamin.

Previous Year Questions (PYQs) on Vitamins from SSC, RRB and UPSC

1. Which vitamin deficiency causes night blindness? — Vitamin A (SSC CGL)
2. Vitamin B12 is chemically known as: — Cyanocobalamin (RRB NTPC)
3. Which vitamin is synthesised in human skin? — Vitamin D (SSC CHSL)
4. Pellagra is caused by the deficiency of: — Niacin / Vitamin B3 (SSC CGL)
5. Which is the largest vitamin? — Vitamin B12 (RRB Group D)
6. Scurvy is caused by the deficiency of: — Ascorbic acid / Vitamin C (SSC MTS)
7. Which vitamin helps in blood clotting? — Vitamin K (RRB ALP)
8. Anti-rickets vitamin is: — Vitamin D (UPSC CAPF, SSC)

Practice MCQs: Test Yourself on Vitamins

1. Chemical name of Vitamin B3: (a) Thiamine (b) Niacin (c) Retinol (d) Tocopherol
2. Deficiency of folic acid in pregnancy causes: (a) Scurvy (b) Neural tube defects (c) Beri-beri (d) Rickets
3. Which of the following is a fat-soluble vitamin? (a) B1 (b) C (c) K (d) B12
4. Rickets is caused by the deficiency of: (a) Vitamin A (b) Vitamin C (c) Vitamin D (d) Vitamin E
5. Beri-beri is caused by the deficiency of: (a) Thiamine (b) Riboflavin (c) Biotin (d) Pyridoxine
6. Which vitamin is produced by gut bacteria? (a) Vitamin A (b) Vitamin K (c) Vitamin C (d) Vitamin D
7. Xerophthalmia is related to: (a) Bones (b) Eyes (c) Skin (d) Blood
8. Which vitamin is called the anti-sterility vitamin? (a) E (b) K (c) A (d) B1
9. Ascorbic acid is the chemical name of: (a) Vitamin A (b) Vitamin B12 (c) Vitamin C (d) Vitamin D
10. Pernicious anaemia is caused by the deficiency of: (a) Iron (b) Vitamin B12 (c) Folic acid (d) Vitamin K

Answer Key: 1-b, 2-b, 3-c, 4-c, 5-a, 6-b, 7-b, 8-a, 9-c, 10-b

Quick Revision Summary: 15 Facts You Must Not Forget

• Fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K; water-soluble: B-complex and C.
• Vitamin A = Retinol; deficiency = night blindness, xerophthalmia.
• Vitamin B1 = Thiamine; deficiency = Beri-beri.
• Vitamin B3 = Niacin; deficiency = Pellagra (3 Ds).
• Vitamin B12 = Cyanocobalamin; deficiency = pernicious anaemia; largest vitamin.
• Folic acid (B9) prevents neural tube defects in pregnancy.
• Vitamin C = Ascorbic acid; deficiency = Scurvy; richest source — amla.
• Vitamin D = Calciferol; deficiency = Rickets/Osteomalacia; the anti-rickets vitamin.
• Vitamin E = Tocopherol; the anti-sterility (fertility) vitamin.
• Vitamin K = Phylloquinone; the clotting vitamin.
• Vitamin D is made in skin by sunlight; K and Biotin by gut bacteria.
• Casimir Funk coined the term “vitamin”.
• Humans cannot synthesise vitamin C.
• Excess fat-soluble vitamins cause hypervitaminosis.
• Water-soluble vitamins (except B12) are not stored and need daily intake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which vitamin deficiency causes scurvy?

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). Symptoms include bleeding gums and delayed wound healing; it is found in citrus fruits and amla.

Q: What are the fat-soluble vitamins?

Vitamins A, D, E and K. They are stored in the liver and fatty tissues, and excess intake can cause hypervitaminosis.

Q: Which vitamin is synthesised by our skin?

Vitamin D (Calciferol), produced in the presence of sunlight. Its deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

Q: What is the chemical name of Vitamin B3 and what does its deficiency cause?

Niacin (Nicotinic acid). Its deficiency causes Pellagra — remembered by the “3 Ds”: dermatitis, diarrhoea and dementia.

Q: Which vitamin is known as the clotting vitamin?

Vitamin K (Phylloquinone). It is essential for blood coagulation; deficiency causes delayed clotting and excessive bleeding.

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