UPSC Prelims 2014 Q97: Science & Technology – Health & Diseases
Consider the following pairs : Vitamin Deficiency disease
1. Vitamin C : Scurvy
2. Vitamin D : Rickets
3. Vitamin E : Night blindness
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 3
- (d) None
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Vitamins and deficiency diseases
| Pair | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Vitamin C : Scurvy | Correct | Bleeding gums; found in citrus fruits and amla |
| 2. Vitamin D : Rickets | Correct | Soft, bent bones in children; made in skin by sunlight |
| 3. Vitamin E : Night blindness | Incorrect | Night blindness is caused by lack of Vitamin A |
Vitamins at a glance:
| Vitamin | Deficiency disease |
|---|---|
| A | Night blindness, xerophthalmia |
| B1 | Beriberi |
| B3 | Pellagra |
| B12 | Pernicious anaemia |
| C | Scurvy |
| D | Rickets |
| E | Weak muscles, reduced fertility |
| K | Poor clotting of blood |
Fat-soluble: A, D, E, K. Water-soluble: B group and C.
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Vitamin C - scurvy and Vitamin D - rickets are correctly matched.
- (b) Incorrect. Night blindness comes from lack of Vitamin A, not E.
- (c) Incorrect. Pair 3 is wrong; Vitamin E is not linked to night blindness.
- (d) Incorrect. Pairs 1 and 2 are right, so 'None' is wrong.
Key point
A - night blindness; B1 - beriberi; B3 - pellagra; C - scurvy; D - rickets; K - clotting. Fat-soluble: A, D, E, K.
Remember
Night blindness = Vitamin A, not E.
Common mistakes
- Linking Vitamin E to night blindness.
- Mixing up beriberi (B1) and pellagra (B3).
- Forgetting which vitamins are fat-soluble.
Exam tip
A for eyes, C for gums, D for bones, K for clotting.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Chemistry (Biomolecules: vitamins)
- NCERT Class VI — Science, Ch 2 (Components of Food)