Question

Match the following and choose the correct answer:
tabularllll (a) & Vitamin B$_{12}$ & (i) & Weak bones
(b) & Vitamin D & (ii) & Poor vision
(c) & Vitamin A & (iii) & Delay in wound healing
(d) & Vitamin C & (iv) & Anaemia
tabular

• A. (a)--(iv), (b)--(ii), (c)--(i), (d)--(iii)
• B. (a)--(iv), (b)--(iii), (c)--(ii), (d)--(i)
• C. (a)--(iv), (b)--(i), (c)--(ii), (d)--(iii)
• D. (a)--(iv), (b)--(iii), (c)--(ii), (d)--(i)

Hint:

A helpful mnemonic for vitamin deficiency diseases:
A = Affects Aight (night) vision (Night Blindness).
B12 = Blood disorder (Anaemia --- need B12 to make red blood cells).
C = Collagen synthesis (Scurvy --- wounds won't heal; think ``C for cuts that won't close'').
D = Dense bones need Vitamin D (deficiency $\Rightarrow$ Rickets/weak bones).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:
Vitamins are essential micronutrients required by the body in small amounts for normal physiological functions. A deficiency of each vitamin leads to specific, well-defined diseases or conditions. Knowing these deficiency diseases is a fundamental requirement in biology and health science.

Step 1: Match each vitamin to its deficiency disease --- detailed analysis.
(a) Vitamin B12 $\rightarrow$ (iv) Anaemia
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is essential for the production of red blood cells and DNA synthesis. It is required for the proper maturation of erythrocytes (red blood cells). Deficiency of Vitamin B12 leads to

megaloblastic/pernicious anaemia --- a condition where red blood cells are abnormally large and immature, and cannot carry oxygen effectively. This results in fatigue, weakness, and pallor.

(b) Vitamin D $\rightarrow$ (i) Weak bones (Rickets/Osteoporosis)
Vitamin D (calciferol) is crucial for the absorption of

calcium and phosphorus from the intestine. These minerals are essential for bone mineralisation. Deficiency of Vitamin D leads to:

• In children:

Rickets --- soft, weak, and deformed bones (bowed legs).

• In adults:

Osteomalacia --- softening of bones; in older adults:

Osteoporosis.

(c) Vitamin A $\rightarrow$ (ii) Poor vision (Night blindness)
Vitamin A (retinol) is essential for the synthesis of

rhodopsin, the light-sensitive pigment found in the rod cells of the retina. Rod cells are responsible for vision in dim light. Deficiency of Vitamin A leads to:

• Night blindness (nyctalopia): inability to see in dim light or darkness.

• Severe deficiency leads to

xerophthalmia (dryness of cornea) and eventually blindness.

(d) Vitamin C $\rightarrow$ (iii) Delay in wound healing (Scurvy)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is essential for the synthesis of

collagen --- the structural protein that forms connective tissue, skin, blood vessels, and bones. Collagen is critical for wound healing. Deficiency of Vitamin C leads to

Scurvy, whose symptoms include:

• Poor wound healing (collagen cannot be synthesized properly).

• Bleeding gums, loosening of teeth.

• Skin hemorrhages, joint pain.

Step 2: Final correct matching.
tabular|l|l|l|

Vitamin &

Deficiency Disease &

Match
B12 & Anaemia & (iv)
D & Weak bones (Rickets) & (i)
A & Poor vision (Night blindness) & (ii)
C & Delay in wound healing (Scurvy) & (iii)
tabular