What is a common deficiency associated with scurvy?

Scurvy is characterized by a deficiency of Vitamin C, which is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a protein that plays a crucial role in the structure and strength of connective tissues, blood vessels, and skin. Without adequate Vitamin C, the body cannot effectively produce collagen, leading to symptoms such as weakened blood vessels, bruising, and poor wound healing. This condition arises because Vitamin C is necessary for the hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues in collagen, a process that stabilizes the collagen triple helix. The symptoms of scurvy highlight the importance of Vitamin C in maintaining healthy connective tissues and overall bodily function.

Other vitamin deficiencies listed, such as those of Vitamins A, D, and K, lead to different health issues: Vitamin A deficiency can result in vision problems and immune dysfunction, Vitamin D deficiency affects bone health, leading to conditions like rickets or osteomalacia, and Vitamin K deficiency can cause bleeding due to impaired clotting cascade. However, none of these are associated with the specific symptoms and physiological changes observed in scurvy, which distinctly points to Vitamin C as the deficient nutrient.