Question

Name the Vitamin that our body prepares in presence of Sunlight.

Answer 1

When the human body comes in contact with sunlight skin tends to synthesize Vitamin D in the epidermal layer of the skin. Vitamin D is needed by the human body for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus which are essential for the healthy bones. Vitamin D is also known as sunshine hormone due to its ability to be produced by the human body on exposure to sunlight.

Complete step by step answer: Vitamin D is synthesized when our skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D3 which is also called cholecalciferol is produced from the cholesterol in the epidermal layer of our skin. The liver is responsible for the conversion of this cholecalciferol to calcifediol $\left( {{C_{27}}{H_{44}}{O_2}} \right)$ which is again converted to calcitriol $\left( {{C_{27}}{H_{44}}{O_3}} \right)$. Calcitriol is an active form of Vitamin D which is then utilized by our body and helps in absorption of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus essential for maintaining our bones healthy and strong. Lack of calcium called “Hypocalcemia” in human body can lead to various health issues where calcium levels are low in blood can lead to diseases like brain alterations, cataracts, osteoporosis etc. whereas also when the calcium levels are increased from the normal range it also affects the body can lead to kidney stones, hyperparathyroidism etc. Deficiency of vitamin D can also lead to deficiency of calcium in bones causing them to be fragile.

Note: Epidermal layer is the outermost layer of the skin which protects the body from the outer environment conditions and unwanted pathogens. It consists of melanocytes which are responsible for the production of “Melanin”. The skin colour is determined by the presence of melanin pigment. More the melanin darker the skin colour, lesser the melanin lighter the skin colour.