📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. Nutrients
- Carbohydrates — main energy source (~4 kcal/g); glucose, starch (stored in plants), glycogen (stored in liver and muscles of animals), cellulose (fibre).
- Proteins — body building, enzymes, hormones (~4 kcal/g); made of amino acids (20 kinds, 9 essential). Sources: pulses, soybean (highest protein), egg, milk.
- Fats — highest energy (~9 kcal/g); help absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
- Malnutrition: kwashiorkor — protein deficiency (swollen belly, oedema); marasmus — deficiency of both protein and energy (extreme wasting).
📌 2. Vitamins
- The word "vitamin" — Casimir Funk (1912). Water-soluble: B-group and C; fat-soluble: A, D, E, K (ADEK).
| Vitamin | Chemical name | Deficiency disease | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Retinol | Night blindness, xerophthalmia | Carrot, milk, fish liver oil |
| B1 | Thiamine | Beri-beri | Cereal husk, pulses |
| B2 | Riboflavin | Cheilosis (cracked lips), skin problems | Milk, egg, green vegetables |
| B3 | Niacin | Pellagra (3D) | Meat, groundnut |
| B12 | Cyanocobalamin (cobalt) | Pernicious anaemia | Meat, milk, egg |
| C | Ascorbic acid | Scurvy (bleeding gums) | Amla, lemon, orange |
| D | Calciferol | Rickets (children), osteomalacia (adults) | Sunlight, fish liver oil |
| E | Tocopherol | Affects fertility | Vegetable oils, sprouts |
| K | Phylloquinone | Blood fails to clot | Green leafy vegetables |
- Vitamin C is most easily destroyed by heating; amla is among the richest sources. Vitamin D is made in skin by sunlight (UV) — the "sunshine vitamin".
📌 3. Minerals & Balanced Diet
| Mineral | Function | Deficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | Part of haemoglobin | Anaemia |
| Iodine (I) | Thyroxine formation | Goitre |
| Calcium (Ca) | Bones and teeth, clotting | Weak bones (osteoporosis) |
| Fluorine (F) | Tooth enamel | Tooth decay; excess — fluorosis |
| Sodium/Potassium | Nerve impulses, water balance | Muscle cramps |
- Balanced diet — all nutrients, roughage and water in proper amounts. Roughage prevents constipation. Milk is poor in iron and vitamin C.
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- Night blindness — vitamin A; rickets — vitamin D; do not swap.
- Vitamin B12 contains cobalt (not iron).
- Kwashiorkor is protein-only deficiency; marasmus is protein + energy.
📌 4. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. Deficiency of vitamin C causes: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Bleeding gums.
Bleeding gums.
Q2. Night blindness is caused by deficiency of vitamin: Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Retinol.
Retinol.
Q3. Rickets in children is caused by deficiency of vitamin: Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Osteomalacia in adults.
Osteomalacia in adults.
Q4. Beri-beri is caused by deficiency of: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Was common among polished-rice eaters.
Was common among polished-rice eaters.
Q5. The vitamin that helps blood clotting is: Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Green leafy vegetables.
Green leafy vegetables.
Q6. Which vitamin contains cobalt? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Cyanocobalamin; deficiency — pernicious anaemia.
Cyanocobalamin; deficiency — pernicious anaemia.
Q7. The "sunshine vitamin" is vitamin: Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Made in skin under UV light.
Made in skin under UV light.
Q8. Water-soluble vitamins are: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
A, D, E, K are fat-soluble.
A, D, E, K are fat-soluble.
Q9. The chemical name of vitamin C is: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Amla is a rich source.
Amla is a rich source.
Q10. Pellagra is caused by deficiency of: Practice
Correct answer: (D)
3D: dermatitis, diarrhoea, dementia.
3D: dermatitis, diarrhoea, dementia.
Q11. The term "vitamin" was coined by: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
In 1912.
In 1912.
Q12. Which gives the most energy per gram? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
~9 kcal/g; others ~4 kcal/g.
~9 kcal/g; others ~4 kcal/g.
Q13. Animals store carbohydrate as: Practice
Correct answer: (A)
In liver and muscles.
In liver and muscles.
Q14. Kwashiorkor is due to deficiency of: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Marasmus is protein + energy deficiency.
Marasmus is protein + energy deficiency.
Q15. Goitre is caused by deficiency of: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Iodine is needed to make thyroxine.
Iodine is needed to make thyroxine.
Q16. Anaemia is mainly caused by deficiency of: Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Part of haemoglobin.
Part of haemoglobin.
Q17. Excess fluoride in drinking water causes: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Mottled teeth and bone deformity.
Mottled teeth and bone deformity.
Q18. Which vitamin is most easily destroyed by cooking? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
By heat and oxidation.
By heat and oxidation.
Q19. Soybean is a particularly rich source of: Practice
Correct answer: (D)
About 40% protein.
About 40% protein.
Q20. The chemical name of vitamin E is: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Fertility and antioxidant.
Fertility and antioxidant.