Science Vitamins And Deficiency Diseases

Quick Revision: Vitamins & Deficiency Diseases | RRB Science

FAT-SOLUBLE (A, D, E, K) – Remember ADEK = “All Dogs Eat Kibble”
VitaminOther NameChief SourceDeficiency DiseaseExtra Buzz
ARetinolCarrot, Fish-liver oilNight-blindness, XerophthalmiaKeep 20/20 vision—A for eyes
DCalciferolSun-UV milk, eggRickets (kids), Osteomalacia (adults)D for “D” bones
ETocopherolWheat-germ oilSterility, Muscle weaknessE for “E"nd of fertility
KPhylloquinoneGreen leafy vegDelayed clotting → haemorrhageK for “K"lotting
WATER-SOLUBLE (B-complex & C) – B-right C-lear
VitaminOther NameChief SourceDeficiency DiseaseMemory Hook
B1ThiamineWhole cerealsBeriberi (3B: B1 → Beri)
B2RiboflavinMilk, eggsCheilosis, Glossitis2 = two lips cracked
B3NiacinMeat, groundnutsPellagra (3D’s: Diarrhoea, Dermatitis, Dementia)Niacin → No pellagra
B5Pantothenic acidPulsesBurning-feet syndrome5 fingers → feet burn
B6PyridoxineFish, bananaConvulsions, Anaemia6 = si(x) seizures
B7BiotinEgg yolkDermatitis, Hair loss7 = Bald luck
B9Folic acidLeafy greensMegaloblastic anaemia9 = Full blood cells
B12CobalaminMeat, milkPernicious anaemia12 = Red blood rescue
CAscorbic acidCitrus, amlaScurvy (bleeding gums)CCitrus → Collagen
Quick Stats to Recall
  • 900 µg – Adult daily Vit-A limit (too much → toxicity)
  • 40 IU of Vit-D = 1 µg (exam favourite conversion)
  • 60 mg – Daily Vit-C need; 10 mg/day prevents scurvy
  • 1932 – Year Vit-C isolated (remember C32)
  • 1913Vit-A discovered (odd 13 → A is 1st letter)
5-Second Mnemonic

“A-D-E-K stay in body fat, the B-C rush out in urine—so eat them daily!”


🔍 10 Likely RRB Questions (click to expand)

  1. Q: Night-blindness is caused by the deficiency of which vitamin?
    A: Vitamin A

  2. Q: Which vitamin is also called Cobalamin?
    A: Vitamin B12

  3. Q: Name the disease whose symptoms are the 3 D’s—Dermatitis, Diarrhoea, Dementia.
    A: Pellagra (deficiency of Niacin/Vit-B3)

  4. Q: Which vitamin helps in blood coagulation?
    A: Vitamin K

  5. Q: Rickets in children is due to the deficiency of ______.
    A: Vitamin D

  6. Q: Which vitamin is lost first when milk is boiled repeatedly?
    A: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

  7. Q: Cheilosis and magenta tongue are characteristic of deficiency of ______.
    A: Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

  8. Q: Which water-soluble vitamin is stored in the liver for more than a year?
    A: Vitamin B12

  9. Q: The human body can synthesise this vitamin on exposure to sunlight—name it.
    A: Vitamin D

  10. Q: Which vitamin deficiency leads to Megaloblastic anaemia?
    A: Folic acid (Vit-B9) or Vitamin B12