Question

Which vitamin is essential for the synthesis of blood clotting factors?

• A. Vitamin A
• B. Vitamin C
• C. Vitamin D
• D. Vitamin K

Hint:

Important clotting factors dependent on Vitamin K:

• Factor II (Prothrombin)
• Factor VII
• Factor IX
• Factor X

Mnemonic: \textbf{“1972”} → Factors \textbf{10, 9, 7, 2} depend on Vitamin K.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Vitamins play crucial biochemical roles in the body, acting as coenzymes or regulatory molecules in various physiological processes.
Blood coagulation (clotting) requires a cascade of specific protein factors synthesized in the liver.
Step 2: Key Approach:
Identify which fat-soluble vitamin acts as an essential cofactor for the carboxylation of glutamic acid residues in clotting factors.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is vital for the post-translational modification of several blood clotting factors.
Specifically, it is required for the gamma-carboxylation of factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX, and X.
Without Vitamin K, these proteins cannot bind calcium effectively, rendering them inactive in the coagulation cascade.
Vitamin A is essential for vision and cell differentiation.
Vitamin C is necessary for collagen synthesis and acts as an antioxidant.
Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus homeostasis for bone health.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Vitamin K is the essential vitamin for blood clotting factor synthesis.