Vitamins
Vitamins are complex organic compounds, whose presence in trace
amount in the food is essential for growth and other physiological activities.
Vitamins do not have any energy value. However they are essential for
controlling energy yielding processes. The identified vitamins are classified
as A,B,C,D,E and K. Of these, vitamin B and C are water soluble in nature.
Vegetables and fruits containing these vitamins if washed in water as cut pieces
would loose them easily. Vitamin A,D,E and K, if consumed beyond
required level may cause defects, commonly referred to as vitaminosis.
Of the various vitamins, vitamin D or calciferol on exposure to sunlight
can be synthesised by our body through the lipid compound called ergosterol,
found below our skin. Hence it is known as ‘sunshine vitamin’.
Functions of vitamins
The most important functions of vitamins include.
1. Physiological processes : Vitamin A plays a very important role in visual
perception. Vitamin E might ensure fertility in animals. The clotting of blood
is aided by vitamin K. Vitamin C provides immunity against infections and it
may also support processes of growth.
2. Maintenance of body tissues : The epithelial tissues of the body are
maintained by vitamin A and B2. The growth of bones is ensured by vitamin
D. Vitamin E plays a role in the rejuvenation of tissues. Nourishment to
nerve cells is provided by vitamin B1. The process of maturation of
erythrocytes is due to vitamin B12.
3. Metabolic processes : The process of calcium and phosphorus
metabolism happens due to the presence of vitamin D. Vitamin E remains an
antioxidant. Vitamin B1 remains as a co-enzyme in tissue metabolism and it
is found useful in the process of oxidation of glucose in CNS. Vitamin B2 is
essential for carbohydrate metabolism. Niacin (vitamin B) plays a role as a
co-enzyme and is essential for oxidation-reduction reactions. Normal
metabolism of amino acids and fat are due to vitamin B6. Biotin (vitamin B)
serves as a co-enzyme and co-factor in oxidative metabolism. Vitamin C
activates certain intra-cellular enzymes.
Related Topics in Zoology:
Bio Zoology All Important Topics
- Human Physiology Introduction
- Nutrition
- Carbohydrates Poly hydroxyaldehydes (or) ketones
- Proteins (Polypeptides)
- Lipids
- Vitamins – Functions Of Vitamins
- Deficiency of Vitamin
- Minerals – Water – Role of water
- Balanced diet
- Obesity
- Digestive System
- Dental Caries (Tooth decay)
- Root Canal Treatment
- Peptic ulcer
- Hernia and Types
- Appendicitis (Appendix)
- Gall Stones
- Hepatitis
- Fractures – Types of fractures
- Mechanism of fracture
- Dislocation of joints
- Arthiritis
- Rickets and Osteomalacia – Orthopedics
- Muscles
- Mechanism of muscle contraction
- Types of muscle contraction
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Respiration – Process of pulmonary respiration
- Mechanism of Breathing
- Regulation of Respiration
- Pneumonia Tuberculosis Symptoms Treatment
- Bronchitis – Acute bronchitis, Chronic Bronchitis Causes
- Circulatory System – Functioning of Human heart
- Cardiac Cycle
- Coronary blood vessel and its significance
- Myocardial infarction
- Angina pectoris
- Angiogram – Angioplasty
- Atherosclerosis
- Heart block Echo cardiography Heart Valves
- Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), ICCU – (Intensive Coronary Care Unit)
- Blood Pressure
- Heart transplantation
- Pulse rate
- Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Blood – Composition of plasma – Blood cells
- Clotting of Blood or Haemostasis
- Thrombosis
- Nervous system Co-ordination systems
- The Brain – Fore Brain, Midbrain, Hindbrain
- Memory
- Sleep – Types of sleep
- Stroke – Brain haemorrhage
- Alzheimer – Meningitis (Brain fever)
- Conditioned reflex
- Electroencephalography EEG
- Right and Left brain concept
- Spinal cord functioning
- Chemical co-ordination – Functions of Endocrine glands
- Hypothalamus
- Pituitary gland – hormone
- Hormones of Neurohypophysis – vasopressin
- Thyroid gland
- Parathyroid Gland
- Pancreas
- Adrenal gland
- Gonads
- Receptor Organs – Eye
- Photochemistry of Retinal visual Pigments
- Errors of refraction
- Optometry – Retinopathy
- Cataract – Lens Replacement – Glaucoma – Nyctalopia
- Eye Infections and Eye Care
- Ear
- Mechanism of hearing
- Defects of the ear
- Hearing Aid – Noise pollution
- Skin and functions of skin
- Melanin functions
- Effects of solar radiation / UV radiation – Skin grafting
- Dermatitis
- Tongue – Mechanism of Stimulation
- Excretion Ureotelism Nephron
- Mechanism of urine formation
- Renal Failure, Dialysis, Kidney Machines
- Kidney stone – Kidney transplantation
- Diabetes mellitus
- Functioning of male reproductive system
- Functioning of female reproductive system
- Ovulation and fate of the ovum – Menstrual cycle
- Fertilization
- Birth control