In human nutrition and biochemistry, what is the chemical name for vitamin A?

Introduction / Context:
Vitamins are essential micronutrients that the body needs in small amounts for normal growth, vision, immunity and many other functions. Each vitamin has a common name and a chemical name. Examinations often test whether you can correctly match these pairs. This question focuses on vitamin A and asks for its chemical name.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The vitamin under discussion is vitamin A.
• The options include several well known vitamin names such as riboflavin and thiamine.
• We assume a basic understanding of common vitamins used in school level biology.

Concept / Approach:
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin important for vision, especially night vision, as well as for immune function and healthy skin. The main active alcohol form of vitamin A is called retinol. There are related forms such as retinal (the aldehyde form) and retinoic acid, but retinol is the name most commonly associated with vitamin A in nutrition tables and exam questions. Riboflavin is vitamin B2, thiamine is vitamin B1, niacin is vitamin B3 and ascorbic acid is vitamin C. Therefore, retinol is the correct chemical name for vitamin A in this context.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that vitamin A is associated with good eyesight and is found in foods like liver, fish oil, dairy products and carrots. Step 2: Remember that the chemical name for vitamin A is retinol, which belongs to a family of compounds called retinoids. Step 3: Identify that riboflavin is linked to vitamin B2, thiamine to vitamin B1, niacin to vitamin B3 and ascorbic acid to vitamin C. Step 4: Match these facts with the options provided and select retinol as the correct chemical name for vitamin A.

Verification / Alternative check:
Look at any standard nutrition table or vitamin chart in a biology or home science book. You will find vitamin A listed with the chemical name retinol, sometimes noting that beta carotene in plants is a precursor that the body can convert into vitamin A. Riboflavin, thiamine, niacin and ascorbic acid are always grouped with different B vitamins or vitamin C. This repeated association across sources confirms that retinol is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Riboflavin refers to vitamin B2, which is important for energy metabolism and healthy skin but is not vitamin A. Thiamine is the chemical name for vitamin B1, known for its role in nerve function and carbohydrate metabolism. Niacin is vitamin B3, which helps in energy production and maintenance of healthy skin and nerves. Ascorbic acid is the chemical name for vitamin C, which is essential for collagen formation and immunity, not vitamin A.

Common Pitfalls:
Because many vitamin names are taught together, it is easy to mix them up, especially the B group vitamins. A useful memory trick is to link the letter A with the word retina for vision and then to retinol for vitamin A. Riboflavin and niacin can be grouped mentally with energy metabolism, while ascorbic acid is famous for preventing scurvy. Building these associations helps you quickly recall which chemical name belongs to which vitamin.

Final Answer:
The chemical name for vitamin A is Retinol.