The deficiency of which of the following vitamins causes increased fragility of red blood cells and muscular weakness:
The deficiency of which of the following vitamins causes increased fragility of red blood cells and muscular weakness:
Options
Correct option: (C) Vitamin E
Deficiency of Vitamin E causes increased fragility of red blood cells and muscular weakness.
- Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects cell membranes (including RBC membranes) from oxidative damage; its lack makes RBCs fragile.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark: correct option (C) Vitamin E.
- 2No partial credit for other fat-soluble vitamins.
Hint
Fat-soluble antioxidant protecting cell membranes — deficiency makes RBCs fragile and muscles weak: Vitamin E.
Quick Oral Answer
Vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant; its deficiency leaves red blood cell membranes unprotected, causing their fragility along with muscular weakness.
Analysis & Explanation
Concept
Vitamin E (tocopherol) is a fat-soluble antioxidant that safeguards polyunsaturated lipids in cell membranes from oxidation. When it is deficient, RBC membranes are damaged (haemolysis, fragility) and muscles weaken.
Matching the distractors (their real deficiency symptoms)
- (A) Vitamin A → night blindness, xerophthalmia.
- (B) Vitamin K → poor blood clotting (haemorrhage).
- (D) Vitamin D → rickets (children), osteomalacia (adults).
Exam tip
Link the keyword pairs: 'fragility of RBCs + muscular weakness' → Vitamin E. This exact phrasing is straight from NCERT.
Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing Vitamin E with Vitamin K (K deficiency affects blood clotting, not RBC fragility).
- 2Choosing Vitamin D (that causes rickets/osteomalacia).
- 3Forgetting that E, A, D, K are all fat-soluble but have distinct deficiency symptoms.
Interesting Facts
Vitamin E is the body's major lipid-soluble antioxidant, guarding cell membranes against free-radical-induced oxidation.
The chemical name of Vitamin E, tocopherol, comes from Greek words meaning 'to bear offspring', reflecting its early discovery as a fertility factor in animals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which vitamins are fat-soluble and what are their key deficiency diseases?
The fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E and K. Vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness; Vitamin D causes rickets and osteomalacia; Vitamin E causes RBC fragility and muscular weakness; Vitamin K causes defective blood clotting (haemorrhage).
Why does Vitamin E deficiency make red blood cells fragile?
Vitamin E is an antioxidant embedded in cell membranes. It protects membrane lipids from oxidation by free radicals. Without it, RBC membranes undergo oxidative damage and rupture more easily, increasing their fragility (haemolysis).