Pellagra and scurvy are deficiency diseases caused by lack of which vitamins respectively?

Introduction / Context:
Vitamins are essential micronutrients that support many metabolic processes. Deficiency of specific vitamins leads to characteristic deficiency diseases, which are important to recognize in nutrition and biology exams. Pellagra and scurvy are classic examples that are often tested together. This question asks you to correctly pair each disease with its underlying vitamin deficiency.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Pellagra and scurvy are named deficiency diseases.
• Options list different combinations of vitamins.
• We assume basic knowledge of major vitamin deficiency disorders.

Concept / Approach:
Pellagra is a disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin B3, also called niacin, or sometimes by deficiency of its amino acid precursor tryptophan. It is classically described by the triad of dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. Scurvy is caused by deficiency of Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, which is essential for collagen synthesis. Scurvy presents with bleeding gums, poor wound healing, and fragile blood vessels. Vitamin A deficiency leads to night blindness and eye problems, while Vitamin B12 deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia and neurological issues. Therefore, the correct pairing is Pellagra with Vitamin B3 and scurvy with Vitamin C.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Pellagra is associated with deficiency of niacin, which is Vitamin B3. Step 2: Recall that scurvy results from deficiency of ascorbic acid, which is Vitamin C. Step 3: Match Pellagra with Vitamin B3 and scurvy with Vitamin C to form the correct pair. Step 4: Identify the option that lists Vitamin B3 and Vitamin C in the correct order.

Verification / Alternative check:
Nutrition textbooks describe Pellagra outbreaks in populations relying heavily on untreated maize, which is low in available niacin. Symptoms include rough skin rash in sun exposed areas, gastrointestinal disturbances, and mental confusion. They clearly attribute Pellagra to niacin deficiency. Scurvy was historically common in sailors without access to fresh fruits and vegetables and is described as a disorder of collagen synthesis due to Vitamin C deficiency. These widely accepted descriptions confirm the Pellagra Vitamin B3 and scurvy Vitamin C pairing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C: Vitamin B12 deficiency causes anemia and neurological problems, not Pellagra.
• Vitamin C and Vitamin A: This would suggest Pellagra is due to Vitamin C deficiency, which is incorrect.
• Vitamin A and Vitamin B12: These vitamins are linked to night blindness and anemia respectively, not to Pellagra and scurvy.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners may mix up the B vitamins because there are many of them with overlapping roles. A helpful memory tip is the three D pattern for Pellagra and associating it with B3: dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia. For scurvy, thinking of citrus fruits and bleeding gums can remind you of Vitamin C. Keeping a small mental map of classic vitamin deficiency diseases can greatly improve accuracy in exam questions.

Final Answer:
Pellagra and scurvy are caused by deficiency of Vitamin B3 (niacin) and Vitamin C respectively.