In 1912, who proposed the ‘vitamin hypothesis’, the concept that the deficiencydiseases of beriberi, scurvy, pellagra and rickets are caused by the absence of specific chemical substances (in trace amounts) in the diet?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 4 i.e.Casimir Funk
In 1912, Casimir Funk, a Polish biochemist, proposed the 'vitamin hypothesis'. He theorized that deficiency diseases like beriberi, scurvy, pellagra, and rickets were caused by the absence of specific, trace chemical substances in the diet. Funk also coined the term "vitamine" (later shortened to vitamin), from "vita" (life) and "amine," believing these vital compounds were all amines.