Vitamin C deficiency is most closely associated with which symptom, due to connective tissue loss?

• A. Night blindness
• B. Connective tissue loss
• C. Osteoporosis
• D. Muscle atrophy

Answer: (B)

Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, a key component of connective tissue. It acts as a cofactor for enzymes that stabilize collagen, so without enough vitamin C, collagen synthesis falters and connective tissues weaken. This leads to the signs of connective tissue loss, such as poor wound healing and gum and skin changes seen in scurvy. Therefore, the symptom most closely linked to vitamin C deficiency via connective tissue loss is connective tissue loss itself. The other options reflect deficiencies in other nutrients: night blindness comes from vitamin A deficiency, osteoporosis relates to bone minerals and vitamin D/calcium, and muscle atrophy involves muscle tissue rather than connective tissue.