Which species is known to suffer from scurvy due to a vitamin C deficiency?

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Multiple Choice

Which species is known to suffer from scurvy due to a vitamin C deficiency?

Explanation:
Vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy in animals that cannot make their own ascorbic acid. Among common laboratory animals, guinea pigs lack the enzyme needed to synthesize vitamin C, so they must obtain it from the diet. If their dietary vitamin C is insufficient, they develop scurvy, with signs such as swollen joints, swollen or bleeding gums, rough coat, and lethargy. The other animals listed can synthesize vitamin C internally, so they’re not typically affected by dietary shortfalls in the same way—scurvy is not a common concern for them unless the diet is severely deficient or the vitamin is degraded. Therefore, the guinea pig is the species known to suffer from scurvy due to a vitamin C deficiency.

Vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy in animals that cannot make their own ascorbic acid. Among common laboratory animals, guinea pigs lack the enzyme needed to synthesize vitamin C, so they must obtain it from the diet. If their dietary vitamin C is insufficient, they develop scurvy, with signs such as swollen joints, swollen or bleeding gums, rough coat, and lethargy. The other animals listed can synthesize vitamin C internally, so they’re not typically affected by dietary shortfalls in the same way—scurvy is not a common concern for them unless the diet is severely deficient or the vitamin is degraded. Therefore, the guinea pig is the species known to suffer from scurvy due to a vitamin C deficiency.

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