A vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency may cause _________, while a vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency may cause __________.

• A. Pellagra; macrocytic anemia.
• B. Beriberi; macrocytic anemia.
• C. Glossitis; pellagra.
• D. Pellagra; polycythemia (high red blood cell count).

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) in the body. Vitamin B3 is essential for energy metabolism and skin health, while vitamin B12 is crucial for red blood cell formation and neurological function.
2. Learn the symptoms associated with deficiencies of these vitamins. A deficiency in vitamin B3 can lead to pellagra, characterized by diarrhea, dermatitis, and dementia. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can result in macrocytic anemia, which involves the production of abnormally large red blood cells.
3. Review the options provided in the question and identify the correct pairing of deficiency symptoms with the respective vitamins.
4. Eliminate incorrect options by cross-referencing the symptoms with the known effects of vitamin deficiencies. For example, beriberi is caused by a deficiency in vitamin B1 (thiamine), not B3 or B12.
5. Select the answer that correctly matches pellagra with vitamin B3 deficiency and macrocytic anemia with vitamin B12 deficiency.