Bleeding of gums, falling of teeth, fragile bones and delayed wound healing occur due to the deficiency of which one of the following vitamins?
Vitamin C
Vitamin Deficiency Leading to Bleeding Gums and Fragile Bones
The question describes a set of symptoms including bleeding of gums, falling of teeth, fragile bones, and delayed wound healing. These specific symptoms are characteristic of a condition known as scurvy, which is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin C.
Understanding Vitamin C's Role in Health
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in several bodily functions. One of its most important roles is in the synthesis of collagen. Collagen is a protein that serves as a major building block for connective tissues throughout the body, including those found in:
- Skin
- Gums
- Blood vessels
- Bones
- Cartilage
Collagen is vital for maintaining the structural integrity and strength of these tissues. It is also essential for the process of wound healing, as it forms the matrix for new tissue growth.
How Vitamin C Deficiency Causes the Symptoms
When there is a deficiency of Vitamin C, the body cannot produce enough collagen. This lack of collagen leads to the weakening of connective tissues, resulting in the symptoms described:
- Bleeding Gums: The connective tissue supporting the gums weakens, making them fragile and prone to bleeding.
- Falling Teeth: The structures holding teeth in place within the gums and jawbone rely on healthy connective tissue. Weakness here can lead to teeth becoming loose and eventually falling out.
- Fragile Bones: Collagen is a key component of the bone matrix. Without sufficient collagen, bones become less dense and more brittle, leading to fragility and increased risk of fractures.
- Delayed Wound Healing: Collagen is necessary for the formation of scar tissue and the repair of damaged tissues. A deficiency impairs this process, causing wounds to heal slowly or poorly.
Why Other Vitamins Do Not Cause This Specific Syndrome
Let's briefly consider why the other options do not typically present with this particular combination of symptoms:
- Vitamin K: Primarily involved in blood clotting. Deficiency leads to excessive bleeding or bruising, but not typically the structural issues in gums, teeth, and bones seen in scurvy.
- Vitamin D: Essential for calcium and phosphate absorption and bone mineralization. Deficiency leads to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, causing soft bones and skeletal deformities, rather than the fragile, brittle bones associated with collagen deficiency.
- Vitamin B Vitamins: A group of vitamins with diverse roles in metabolism, nerve function, and cell growth. Deficiencies in various B vitamins can cause symptoms like anemia, nerve damage, or skin problems, but not the specific cluster related to widespread connective tissue breakdown.
Based on the clear link between Vitamin C's role in collagen synthesis and the described symptoms of weakened connective tissues, the deficiency of Vitamin C is the cause.
| Symptom | Link to Vitamin C Deficiency (Scurvy) |
|---|---|
| Bleeding Gums | Weakened connective tissue in gums due to poor collagen synthesis. |
| Falling Teeth | Compromised structural support for teeth due to collagen deficiency in gums and jaw. |
| Fragile Bones | Reduced collagen matrix in bones makes them brittle. |
| Delayed Wound Healing | Collagen is essential for tissue repair and scar formation. |
Conclusion on Vitamin Deficiency
The collection of symptoms including bleeding gums, falling teeth, fragile bones, and delayed wound healing is a hallmark of scurvy, a disease caused by insufficient intake of Vitamin C. Therefore, the deficiency of Vitamin C is responsible for these health issues.
Revision Table: Key Vitamin Deficiencies and Symptoms
| Vitamin | Key Role | Deficiency Disease/Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) | Collagen synthesis, antioxidant, immune function | Scurvy (bleeding gums, fatigue, poor wound healing, fragile bones, joint pain) |
| Vitamin K | Blood clotting | Excessive bleeding (hemorrhage) |
| Vitamin D (Calciferol) | Calcium & phosphate absorption, bone health | Rickets (children), Osteomalacia (adults) - soft bones, deformities |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | Energy metabolism, nerve function | Beriberi (nerve damage, muscle weakness, cardiovascular issues) |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | Energy metabolism | Ariboflavinosis (cracked lips, skin inflammation, eye problems) |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | Energy metabolism, nervous system | Pellagra (Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Dementia, Death) |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | DNA synthesis, cell growth | Megaloblastic anemia, neural tube defects in newborns |
| Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | Nerve function, DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation | Megaloblastic anemia, neurological problems |
Additional Information on Vitamin C and Scurvy
Scurvy is a historical disease often associated with sailors on long voyages with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. It is relatively rare today in developed countries due to widespread availability of Vitamin C-rich foods and fortified products. However, certain groups are still at risk, including:
- Individuals with limited diets (e.g., elderly, impoverished, those with restrictive eating disorders)
- Individuals with malabsorption issues
- Smokers (who require higher amounts of Vitamin C)
Good sources of Vitamin C include citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, and leafy greens. Cooking can reduce the Vitamin C content of foods, so consuming some raw sources is beneficial.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for Vitamin C varies by age, sex, and life stage (e.g., pregnancy, lactation). Ensuring adequate intake through diet or supplements is key to preventing scurvy and maintaining overall health.
Similar Questions
Which one of the following is not found in animal cells?
Which one of the following has a bilateral symmetry in its body organization?
Which one of the following pairs of animals is warm-blooded?
In which one of the following types of connective tissues in animals does fat get stored?
Which one of the following pairs about organ/part that helps in locomotion is NOT correctly matched?
Which of the following classes of animals has/have three-chambered heart?
In which of the following groups of organisms, is food material broken down outside the body and absorbed ?
Which of the following pairs of vitamin and disease is/are correctly matched?
1. Vitamin A: Rickets
2. Vitamin B: Beriberi
3. Vitamin C: Scurvy
Select the correct answer using the code given below:Pearls are harvested from __________.
Wings of birds and bats are considered analogous structures because they have ________.
Important Questions from Zoology
Mira and Divya are two small girls. Mira is fond of eating Samosa, Cutlet and Bread, whereas Divya likes food which are iron deficient. Mira and Divya can suffer which of the following diseases respectively?
Which of the following is not a rich source of protein?
Animal with backbone is :
If you take on a tour of children in the northern part of this state and ask them to select the correct statements about elephant herd. What will be their likely reply?
(a) An elephant herd has mainly females and baby elephants upto 14 - 15 years old.
(b) An elephant herd comprises members of a particular family.
(c) An elephant herd may accommodate any number of female elephants and young ones.
(d) The oldest female is the leader of the herd.
Pashmina is a fine type of wool which were first woven in which state of India?
