Everything Life Sciences Grade 10

Vitamin Role Food sources Deficiency
disease
Vitamin A Needed for proper functioning
of eyes

liver, carrots, egg night blindness

Vitamin B (A
group of vitamins
with related
functions)

Carbohydrate, protein, lipid,

nucleic acid and alcohol

metabolism; neurotransmitter

synthesis and nerve function;

red blood cell production

grains, potatoes,

bananas

B1- beriberi, B3-

pellagra, B6, B9,

B12- anaemia

Vitamin C Combines with key enzymes in
metabolic reactions

citrus fruit

(oranges, lemons

etc)

scurvy (results in

bleeding gums)

Vitamin D Metabolites important in
absorption of minerals from the
gut (such as calcium and
phosphate)

sunshine rickets (resulting
in soft bones,
with bowed legs
and widened
wrists)
Vitamin E Acts as an anti-oxidant margarine,
soybean oil,
fortified cereals,
condensed cow’s
milk, cheese,
orange juice

depressed

immune system,

anaemia, poor

nerve conduction

Figure 2.23: Sources of essentials vitamins.

Chapter 2. The chemistry of life 49