Vitamins are organic compounds required in the diet in small amounts to perform specific biological functions for normal maintenance of optimum growth and health of the organism. Their deficiency causes specific diseases. Most of the vitamins cannot be synthesised in our body, but plants can synthesise almost all of them.
Vitamins are classified into two groups depending upon their solubility in water or fat. Vitamins which are soluble in fat and oils but insoluble in water are called fat soluble vitamins. These are vitamins A, D, E and K. They are stored in liver and adipose (fat storing) tissues. B group vitamins and vitamin C are soluble in water and are called water soluble vitamins. Water soluble vitamins must be supplied regularly in the diet because they are readily excreted in urine and cannot be stored (except vitamin B12) in our body.
Deficiency of which of the following vitamins causes beriberi?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Vitamin B1
Beri beri (loss of appetite, retarded growth) is caused by deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine), a water soluble vitamin.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
10.4.1 Classification of Vitamins – “… Some important vitamins, their sources and diseases caused by their deficiency are listed in Table 10.3.”
Table 10.3: Some important Vitamins, their Sources and their Deficiency Diseases
