CHEMISTRY PROJECT
CHEMISTRY PROJECT
Topic: Vitamins and Hormones
Submitted by:
INDEX NUMBER:
REDG. NUMBER:
Class: XII
Academic Year: 2025-2026
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my Chemistry teachers, Mr.
Raja Dey and Mr. Arpan Bhunia, for their invaluable guidance, encouragement,
and continuous support throughout the completion of this project. Their
insightful feedback helped me refine and enrich the content of this report. I
also extend my thanks to my school, STRATFORD DAY SCHOOL, for providing
the necessary facilities and a conducive learning environment. Last but not
least, I thank my parents and friends for their patience, motivation, and moral
support.
Certificate
This is to certify that [Your Name], a student of Class XII, has successfully
completed the Chemistry project titled "Vitamins and Hormones" for the
academic year 2025-2026, under the guidance of Mr. Raja Dey and Mr. Arpan
Bhunia. The work presented in this project is the original work of the student
and has been carried out in accordance with the curriculum prescribed by the
Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) for Std- 12.
Signature of Teacher Signature of Principal
Index
Sl. Topic Page
No. number
1. Introduction
2. I. Vitamins
II. Definition
III. Classification
IV. Functions
V. Sources
VI. Deficiency Diseases
VII. Importance of Vitamin Supplements
3. I. Hormones
II. Definition
III. Types of Hormones
IV. Functions
V. Hormonal Imbalance and Related Disorders
VI. Hormones in Medicine
4. Chemical Structures
5. Comparison Between Vitamins and Hormones
6. Importance in Human Health
7. Conclusion
8. Bibliography
Introduction
Chemistry plays a crucial role in understanding the various biological
processes of the human body. Among the most significant chemical
compounds in biology are vitamins and hormones. These organic molecules,
though required in minuscule quantities, are essential for the proper
functioning of the human body. This project aims to explore the chemistry,
classification, physiological roles, and importance of vitamins and hormones
in human health. We will delve into their chemical structures, the
consequences of their deficiencies or excesses, and how science has utilized
them in medical treatments and therapies.
Vitamins
• Definition
Vitamins are a group of organic compounds that are essential for
normal metabolism, growth, and development. Since the human body
either does not produce them or produces them in insufficient
quantities, they must be obtained from external sources such as food or
dietary supplements.
• Classification of Vitamins
Vitamins are categorized based on their solubility:
Vitamin A
(Retinol)
Vitamin D
(Calciferol)
Fat-Soluble
Vitamins
Vitamin E
(Tocopherol)
Vitamin K
Vitamins (Phylloquinone)
Vitamin B-complex
(B-1 to B-12,
Water- excluding B-4, B-8,
Soluble etc.)
Vitamins
Vitamin C
(Ascorbic acid)
• Sources of vitamins and their deficiency syndrome
Vitamin Sources Deficiency Syndrome(s)
Vitamin A Liver, dairy products, Night blindness,
(Retinol) carrots, leafy greens, xerophthalmia, dry skin,
sweet potatoes increased infection risk
Vitamin B-1 Whole grains, pork, Beriberi (wet and dry),
(Thiamine) legumes, nuts Wernicke-Korsakoff
syndrome
Vitamin B-2 Milk, eggs, green Cheilosis, glossitis,
(Riboflavin) vegetables, meat seborrheic dermatitis
Vitamin B-3 Meat, fish, whole grains, Pellagra (dermatitis,
(Niacin) legumes diarrhea, dementia, death)
Vitamin B-5 Eggs, avocados, whole Fatigue, irritability,
(Pantothenic grains, meats numbness, muscle cramps
acid) (rare)
Vitamin B-6 Bananas, chicken, fish, Irritability, depression,
(Pyridoxine) potatoes confusion, anemia,
peripheral neuropathy
Vitamin B-7 Eggs (yolk), nuts, Dermatitis, hair loss,
(Biotin) soybeans, whole grains conjunctivitis, neurological
symptoms
Vitamin B-9 Leafy greens, legumes, Megaloblastic anemia,
(Folate) citrus fruits neural tube defects in
pregnancy
Vitamin B-12 Animal products (meat, Pernicious anemia,
(Cobalamin) dairy, eggs) neuropathy, glossitis
Vitamin C Citrus fruits, Scurvy (bleeding gums, joint
(Ascorbic acid) strawberries, bell pain, poor wound healing)
peppers, broccoli
Vitamin D Sunlight, fortified dairy, Rickets (children),
fatty fish, egg yolks osteomalacia (adults), bone
pain, muscle weakness
Vitamin E Nuts, seeds, vegetable Hemolytic anemia,
oils, spinach neurological problems (rare)
Vitamin K Leafy greens, broccoli, Bleeding disorders, easy
soybean oil bruising (due to impaired
blood clotting)
• Importance of Vitamin Supplements
Vitamin supplements are widely used to prevent or treat deficiencies caused
by inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption disorders, or increased
physiological demands. Prenatal vitamins help prevent neural tube defects,
while Vitamin D supplementation is commonly recommended in regions with
low sunlight exposure.
• Chemical Structures of vitamins.
Hormones
• Definition
Hormones are chemical substances produced by specialized glands
called endocrine glands. These molecules act as messengers, traveling
through the bloodstream to target organs, where they regulate various
physiological activities such as growth, metabolism, mood, sexual
function, and reproduction.
• Types of Hormones
Hormones are chemically classified into:
- Peptide Hormones (e.g., insulin, glucagon, oxytocin)
- Steroid Hormones (e.g., cortisol, estrogen, testosterone)
- Amino Acid Derivatives (e.g., thyroxine, adrenaline)
• Functions and Imbalances
Hormone Gland Primary Effect of Effect of Excess
Function Deficiency
Insulin Pancrea Regulates Diabetes Hypoglycemia
s blood glucose mellitus (high (low blood
levels blood sugar) sugar)
Glucagon Pancrea Raises blood Hypoglycemia Hyperglycemia
s glucose levels
Thyroxine Thyroid Controls Hypothyroidis Hyperthyroidis
(T4) metabolism, m (fatigue, m (weight loss,
growth, and weight gain) anxiety)
development
Adrenaline Adrenal Prepares Inability to Hypertension,
glands body for ‘fight respond to anxiety
or flight’ stress
response
Cortisol Adrenal Regulates Addison’s Cushing’s
glands metabolism disease syndrome
and immune (fatigue, (weight gain,
response weakness) hypertension)
Estrogen Ovaries Develops Menstrual Increased risk of
female irregularities, blood clots,
secondary osteoporosis certain cancers
sexual
characteristic
s
Testosteron Testes Develops Infertility, Aggression,
e male decreased acne, infertility
secondary libido
sexual
characteristic
s
Growth Pituitary Stimulates Dwarfism Gigantism or
Hormone growth and acromegaly
cell
reproduction
Oxytocin Pituitary Stimulates Difficulty in Rare, may cause
uterine childbirth or excessive
contractions lactation contractions
and milk
ejection
• Hormones in Medicine
Hormones are frequently used in medical treatments. Examples include:
- Insulin injections for diabetes management
- Thyroxine tablets for hypothyroidism
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopausal symptoms
- Growth hormone therapy for growth deficiencies
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and suppress autoimmune disorders
• Chemical Structures of hormones.
• Comparison Between Vitamins and Hormones
Feature Vitamins Hormones
Definition Organic compounds Chemical messengers that
essential for metabolic regulate physiological
functions processes
Source Primarily obtained from Synthesized by endocrine
diet (except few like glands (e.g., thyroid, pancreas,
Vitamin D synthesized in adrenal glands)
skin)
Function Coenzymes and regulators Regulate growth, metabolism,
of enzyme activity reproduction, and other vital
functions
Quantity Required in small amounts Effective in minute quantities
Required (nanograms or picograms)
Molecular Relatively simple organic Can be simple (amines) or
Structure molecules complex (proteins, steroids,
peptides)
Transport Usually absorbed through Secreted into the bloodstream
digestion and transported to target
organs
Deficiency Leads to deficiency Leads to endocrine disorders
Effects syndromes (e.g., scurvy, (e.g., diabetes,
rickets, beriberi) hypothyroidism, gigantism)
Storage Some stored in the body Stored in glands or secreted as
(e.g., fat-soluble vitamins), needed
others not
• Importance in Human Health
The role of vitamins and hormones in human health is immense. A balanced
intake of vitamins ensures efficient metabolism, disease resistance, and
proper physiological functioning. Hormones maintain homeostasis and
control virtually every aspect of bodily function. Advances in chemistry and
medicine have led to the development of synthetic vitamins and hormone
analogs, offering solutions to numerous health issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, vitamins and hormones, despite being required in trace
amounts, exert a significant influence on human health. Their deficiencies or
imbalances can lead to various ailments. A comprehensive understanding of
their chemistry and role is essential not only for academic purposes but also
for promoting well-being and advancing medical science.
Bibliography
1. NCERT Chemistry Class XII Textbook
2. Morrison and Boyd - Organic Chemistry
3. https://www.britannica.com
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5. Modern ABC of Chemistry for Class 12
6. Concise Medical Dictionary by Oxford University Press
7. Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry
8. https://www.healthline.com
End of Project
