Question

How are vitamins classified? Name the vitamin responsible for coagulation of blood.

Answer 1

In addition to carbohydrates, proteins, oxygen, fat or some salts a number of molecules are necessary for life, growth, and health. These compounds are known as ‘accessory dietary factors or vitamins’. They are necessary in very small amounts.

Complete answer:
Vitamins are essential micronutrients that humans need in small amounts. Vitamins cannot be produced by our body, therefore they must be supplied. Except vitamin D , it can be produced in the skin by irradiation of sterols, or we can supply it from outside also.
Vitamins are not single molecules. It is made of a group of molecules. We can say that by vitamin E which consists of four tocopherols and four tocotrienols.
Some example of vitamins are Vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, Vitamin B7, vitamin B9, Vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and Vitamin K.
They have some important biochemical function. Vitamin C and vitamin E act as antioxidants. Vitamin D provides a hormone like function. Vitamin B complexes are the precursor for enzymes. So they are very important for our body. Otherwise the deficiency of them causes these functions to stop.
Vitamins can be classified on the basis of their solubility. Some vitamins are water soluble and some are fat soluble.
Water soluble vitamins are soluble in water and also excreted from the body easily. Since they cannot be stored, we have to give a regular supply of them to our body. Examples are vitamin B complex, and vitamin C
The fat soluble vitamins are not soluble in water. They can be absorbed by lipids. Examples are Vitamin A, D, E, K.
Every vitamin has a specific function.

**Vitamin K is responsible for the coagulation of blood.

Note:**
The fat-soluble vitamins can accumulate in our body since they are not water soluble. Example: vitamin A and vitamin D. This can result in hypervitaminosis. On the other hand , malabsorption causes deficiency.