▶️ Answer/Explanation
Rickets is a bone disorder caused by a failure of mineralization of the bone matrix. This is primarily due to a deficiency in vitamin D, which is essential for the absorption of calcium from the diet. Without sufficient vitamin D, the body cannot properly utilize calcium, leading to soft and weak bones. Therefore, both calcium (the mineral for bone structure) and vitamin D (which enables its absorption) are required to prevent the condition.
✅ Answer: (B) calcium and vitamin D
✅ Answer: (B) calcium and vitamin D
▶️ Answer/Explanation
Dietary fibre (roughage) is composed of indigestible carbohydrates, primarily cellulose, which is found in the cell walls of plants. Since the diet is described as containing “a lot of plant material,” it will inherently be very high in fibre. In contrast, meat contains no fibre at all. While plants can provide fats and proteins, they are often found in lower concentrations compared to animal sources, and Vitamin D is notoriously difficult to obtain from a strictly plant-based diet without fortified foods or sunlight. Therefore, fibre is the component that is least likely to be lacking.
✅ Answer: (B)
✅ Answer: (B)
▶️ Answer/Explanation
Iron is a fundamental component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. When the diet lacks sufficient iron, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin, leading to a condition known as iron-deficiency anemia. This manifests as a reduced number of functional red blood cells or a lower concentration of hemoglobin within them. Consequently, the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity is diminished, often causing fatigue and weakness. Other options like bleeding gums or weak bones are associated with deficiencies in Vitamin C or Calcium/Vitamin D, respectively.
✅ Answer: (C)
✅ Answer: (C)