Question

Which of the following vitamins is considered to be hormone?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin B
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin D

Answer 1

Hint: Hormones are the signalling molecules which act as a chemical messenger and are used for the regulation of the physiological functions and behaviour of the body. The main characteristic of hormones which makes them different from the vitamins is that the hormones are synthesized in the body whereas most of the vitamins are externally provided to the body via food and other sources.

Complete step by step answer:
-The vitamins like vitamin A, B and C are not synthesized in the body and are required to be provided from the external sources.
-These vitamins are known as essential vitamins and are supplied to our body through food and other sources.
-Deficiency of these vitamins can lead to various deficiency diseases.
-Vitamin D is predominantly produced in the skin or can be obtained through diet as well. It is primarily obtained in a biologically inactive form.
-Vitamin D can be easily synthesized non-enzymatically by the body if the right conditions are provided. Most of the mammals are eligible to prepare their own vitamin D by sufficient exposure to the UV component of the sun.
-Vitamin D essentially serves as a hormone precursor which is converted to its active form calcitriol and performs its function by getting recognized at multiple locations by the nuclear receptor.
-The vitamin D being a hormone is directly secreted into the bloodstream and is carried by the blood to various parts of the body where it is required to perform its function.
-The major function of vitamin D is the regulation of the calcium and phosphate concentration and also helps in the growth, development and remodelling of the bones.
Vitamin D is the vitamin which is considered as a hormone. So, the correct answer is option (D)

Note: Vitamin D can easily get deficient in the body. The deficiency of vitamin D causes the demineralization of the bones and thus results in rickets in the children and osteomalacia in the adults. Also, the deficiency of vitamin C leads to scurvy and that of vitamin A and B may lead to the condition of xerophthalmia and beri-beri respectively.