What laboratory animal species is especially prone to scurvy caused by a vitamin C deficiency?

Prepare for the AALAS LATG Test. Study with interactive flashcards and detailed multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Achieve your certification goals!

Multiple Choice

What laboratory animal species is especially prone to scurvy caused by a vitamin C deficiency?

Explanation:
Vitamin C must come from the diet for some lab animals because they cannot synthesize it themselves. The guinea pig lacks the enzyme needed to make vitamin C, so it depends entirely on dietary ascorbic acid. If its diet is deficient, scurvy develops, with symptoms such as gingival bleeding, poor wound healing, and lameness. The other listed animals can produce vitamin C internally, so they are less susceptible to deficiency from diet alone. This makes the guinea pig especially prone to scurvy when vitamin C is lacking.

Vitamin C must come from the diet for some lab animals because they cannot synthesize it themselves. The guinea pig lacks the enzyme needed to make vitamin C, so it depends entirely on dietary ascorbic acid. If its diet is deficient, scurvy develops, with symptoms such as gingival bleeding, poor wound healing, and lameness. The other listed animals can produce vitamin C internally, so they are less susceptible to deficiency from diet alone. This makes the guinea pig especially prone to scurvy when vitamin C is lacking.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy