Vitamins in Class 12 Chemistry: Notes, Definition, Classification, Importance, Diseases & Examples

What is Vitamins?

As per NCERT, Vitamins definition is “It has been observed that certain organic compounds are required in small amounts in our diet but their deficiency causes specific diseases. These compounds are called vitamins”. 

Explanation: The above definition states that vitamins are organic compounds, which are essential for our body in small amounts. If the vitamin is not present in the required amount, then it may cause specific diseases. Vitamins can be gained from food or supplements as prescribed by doctors.

Vitamins are classified into two groups:

• Fat-Soluble Vitamins
• Water-Soluble Vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamins

These vitamins are fat-soluble. They are stored in the liver and adipose tissue. The examples of fat-soluble vitamins are vitamin A, D, E, and K.

• Vitamin A is important for good vision, healthy skin, proper immune function, and cell growth. We can get vitamin A from milk, butter, carrots, tomatoes, eggs, and more.
• Vitamin D is absorbed from the sunlight. The deficiency of vitamin D can cause rickets, soft bones in kids, and improper growth.
• Vitamin E protects the cells from damage. The main source of vitamin E is oils, nuts, seeds and green leafy vegetables.
• Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting. Deficiency of vitamin K leads to excessive bleeding.

Water-soluble vitamins

• Vitamins that are dissolved in water and not stored in the body are called water-soluble vitamins. The example of water-soluble vitamins is the vitamin B group (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12) and Vitamin C.

We know that vitamins are very important for the proper functioning of organisms. The deficiency of vitamins can lead to some serious diseases. To balance the vitamins we need in proper diets. In some cases, we might be required to take supplements, but with the advice of the doctors. Below are the importance of vitamins.

Vitamins and their importance

Deficiency Diseases: A living organism needs a balance of vitamins for the proper functioning of various organs. If this balance is disturbed for any reason, it will lead to some serious diseases. They are also known as deficiency diseases.

Deficiency Diseases and Their Associated Nutrients

The deficiency diseases can be prevented in the following manner:

• Eating simple, wholesome food such as groundnut, soybean, pulses, etc.
• Prolonged cooking and undercooked food lose their nutritional value. Keeping cut vegetables and fruits for a longer period also destroys their nutritional value. Avoiding this can prevent deficiency diseases.
• Fermentation and sprouting retain and increase the nutritional value of food.

We know vitamins are an essential compound for the proper functioning of the body. Below are examples of vitamins with their food sources.

• Vitamin A – Milk, butter, carrots, and fish liver oil 

• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) - Milk, green vegetables, cereals, and yeast 

• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) - Milk, egg, kidney, and liver 

• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) - Grams, cereals, milk, yeast, and egg yolk 

• Vitamin B12 – Curd, egg, meat and fish 

• Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) - Amla, green leafy vegetables, and citrus fruits 

• Vitamin D – Sunlight, egg yolk, and fish 

• Vitamin E – Sunflower oils, wheat germ oil, etc. 

• Vitamin K – Green leafy vegetables