Who discovered vitamins?

Vitamins are essential organic compounds that the human body needs in small amounts to maintain health, growth, and proper functioning. The discovery of vitamins was a major milestone in biology and nutrition science. The scientist credited with this discovery is Casimir Funk, a Polish biochemist who coined the term “vitamine” in 1912. The word originally meant “vital amine” because he believed that these substances were amines essential for life.

Casimir Funk’s research showed that certain diseases, such as beriberi and scurvy, were caused by the absence of specific nutrients in the diet. His work led to the understanding that vitamins are necessary for normal metabolic processes and cannot be synthesized in sufficient amounts by the body, which is why they must be obtained through food.

There are many types of vitamins, each with a specific role in the body. For example, Vitamin A supports vision and skin health, Vitamin D regulates calcium and bone health, and Vitamin C helps in tissue repair and immune function. Vitamins are classified as either water-soluble (like Vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins) or fat-soluble (like Vitamins A, D, E, and K).

Other scientists listed in the options contributed to different fields: Moesley worked on gases, Chadwick discovered the neutron, and Frank Whittle invented the jet engine. None of them were related to the discovery of vitamins.

Casimir Funk’s discovery is fundamental in biology and human health because it highlighted the importance of micronutrients in preventing deficiency diseases. Understanding vitamins and their functions is crucial for nutrition, health, and the study of biochemistry. His work laid the foundation for modern vitamin research, dietary recommendations, and public health initiatives to prevent nutrient deficiencies worldwide.