Compare the solubilities of vitamins A and C in water by referring to the structures provided in Table 21 of the Data Booklet.

Describe the effect of deficiency of one of these vitamins and suggest two possible solutions.

vitamin A: not water-soluble because it has only one OH / is not very/less polar / contains long hydrocarbon group;

vitamin C: water-soluble because it has 4/many OH (and 1 C=O)/extensive hydrogen bonding;

Accept reference to polarity in one case but not in both.

effect: vitamin A: xerophthalmia/night blindness / vitamin C: scurvy / bleeding gums / less resistance to infection / bleeding lesions on legs/thighs / scorbutus;

Accept either of the following for the second mark:

solution for vitamin A: providing food composed of liver/fresh (orange and green) fruits/vegetables/spinach/eggs/carrots / providing genetically modified food containing vitamin A;

Most candidates answered that vitamin C is water soluble and vitamin A not, although some were vague in their explanations why.

Many candidates identified correctly the deficiency symptoms and named at least one solution.