Vitamins

Definition

Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential in small quantities for various bodily functions, including growth, reproduction, and maintenance of health. They must be obtained through diet as the body cannot synthesize them in sufficient amounts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Vitamins are classified into two categories: fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) and water-soluble (B-complex and C).
2. Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver, whereas water-soluble vitamins must be replenished regularly.
3. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to specific diseases; for example, a lack of vitamin C causes scurvy.
4. Each vitamin has unique roles; for instance, Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption and bone health.
5. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) varies depending on age, sex, and life stage.

Review Questions

• What are the two main categories of vitamins?
• Why do water-soluble vitamins need to be consumed more frequently than fat-soluble ones?
• What deficiency disease is caused by a lack of vitamin C?

Related terms

Minerals: Inorganic elements required by the body in small amounts for various functions such as enzyme activity and bone formation.

Enzymes: Proteins that act as biological catalysts to accelerate chemical reactions within the body.

Metabolism: The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within an organism to maintain life.