Vitamins and Nutrition

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Q80. What is vitamin D2 called?

[60th–62nd BPSC Prelims, 2016]

1. (a) Ergocalciferol
2. (b) Cholecalciferol
3. (c) Cobalamin
4. (d) Pyridoxine
5. (e) None of these or more than one

Answer: (a) Ergocalciferol

Explanation: Ergocalciferol is vitamin D2, while cholecalciferol is D3. Both can contribute to vitamin D status after metabolic activation. Cobalamin is B12 and pyridoxine is B6, neither of which is a vitamin D form.

Q79. In which organ does the body store much of its vitamin A?

[60th–62nd BPSC Prelims, 2016]

1. (a) Liver
2. (b) Skin
3. (c) Lung
4. (d) Kidney
5. (e) None of these or more than one

Answer: (a) Liver

Explanation: The liver is the body’s principal storage site for vitamin A, especially in hepatic stellate cells. This reserve helps maintain adequate retinoid supply for vision, immunity and epithelial differentiation when intake varies.

Q78. Match vitamin K, D, E and C to Leafy green plants (4), cod-liver oil (3), wheat-germ oil (1), lemon (2).

[UPPSC RO/ARO Prelims re-examination, 2016]

1. (a) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
2. (b) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
3. (c) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
4. (d) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

Answer: (d) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

Explanation: Leafy green plants supply vitamin K, cod-liver oil contains vitamin D, wheat-germ oil is rich in vitamin E and lemon supplies vitamin C. The matching requires associating each vitamin with a characteristic dietary source.

Q77. Which vitamin-disease pairing is incorrect?

[UPPSC RO/ARO Prelims, 2016]

1. (a) Vitamin A — night blindness
2. (b) Vitamin B3 — pellagra
3. (c) Vitamin D — colour blindness
4. (d) Folic acid — anaemia

Answer: (c) Vitamin D — colour blindness

Explanation: Colour blindness most commonly reflects inherited abnormalities of cone photopigments, not vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets or osteomalacia. The remaining pairings describe established nutritional disorders.

Q76. Which of the following does not commonly denature proteins under the question’s classification?

[UPPSC PCS Mains, 2016]

1. (a) Heat
2. (b) Infrared rays
3. (c) X-rays
4. (d) Heavy-metal salts

Answer: (b) Infrared rays

Explanation: Heat, some radiation exposure and heavy-metal ions can disrupt protein structure. The examination singles out infrared radiation under ordinary conditions. Denaturation depends on exposure intensity, duration and the protein involved.

Q75. Which vitamin-containing nutrient is a source of cobalt?

[UPPSC RO/ARO Mains, 2016]

1. (a) Vitamin K
2. (b) Vitamin B12
3. (c) Vitamin B9
4. (d) Vitamin B2

Answer: (b) Vitamin B12

Explanation: Cobalamin’s structure contains cobalt, which explains its name. This vitamin helps maintain normal DNA synthesis and myelin function. Folate (B9) and riboflavin (B2) do not contain cobalt atoms in their vitamin structures.

Q74. Which vitamin can be synthesised by human skin?

[NDA, 16 Dec 2015, General Ability Test]

1. (a) Vitamin A
2. (b) Vitamin B
3. (c) Vitamin C
4. (d) Vitamin D

Answer: (d) Vitamin D

Explanation: UVB radiation initiates vitamin D3 formation from a skin sterol. Subsequent modification by the liver and kidneys produces its hormonally active form. This synthesis explains why vitamin D status depends partly on sunlight exposure.

Q73. Beta-carotene is a dietary precursor of which vitamin?

[NDA, 19 Apr 2015, General Ability Test]

1. (a) Vitamin A
2. (b) Vitamin C
3. (c) Vitamin D
4. (d) Vitamin K

Answer: (a) Vitamin A

Explanation: Beta-carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid that can be cleaved into retinal and converted to other vitamin A forms. Coloured vegetables supply carotenoids, which support vision and epithelial health after conversion in the body.

Q72. Match vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin A and B1 with scurvy (4), anaemia (3), night blindness (1), beriberi (2).

[UPPSC PCS Prelims, 2015]

1. (a) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
2. (b) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
3. (c) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
4. (d) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3

Answer: (a) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

Explanation: Vitamin C supports collagen, folate supports red-cell formation, vitamin A supports low-light vision and thiamine supports metabolism of energy nutrients. Deficiencies therefore correspond to scurvy, anaemia, night blindness and beriberi.

Q71. What is the common vitamin name of cholecalciferol?

[UPPSC PCS Prelims, 2015]

1. (a) Bone calcium
2. (b) Vitamin D
3. (c) Vitamin B
4. (d) Vitamin C

Answer: (b) Vitamin D

Explanation: Cholecalciferol is vitamin D3, produced in skin with ultraviolet light and present in some animal foods. Once activated, it regulates calcium and phosphate metabolism. Calciferol is a general term used for vitamin D forms.