Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Deficiency of which nutrient can lead to thinning of bones?

1. Iron

2. Calcium

3. Vitamin E

4. Vitamin K

The correct answer is: Calcium

Thinning of bones is primarily associated with a deficiency in calcium. Calcium plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density and strength. The bones serve as a reservoir for calcium, which is essential not only for skeletal integrity but also for various physiological functions, including muscle contraction and nerve transmission. When there is insufficient calcium intake, or when the body cannot properly absorb calcium from the diet, it leads to a decrease in bone mineral density, making the bones more fragile and susceptible to conditions such as osteoporosis. While iron, vitamin E, and vitamin K are important nutrients for overall health, they do not have a direct role in bone density. Iron is essential for blood production, vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, and vitamin K is important for blood clotting and has some role in bone metabolism, but none of these nutrients directly contribute to the maintenance of bone structure in the same way that calcium does. Hence, the connection between calcium deficiency and bone thinning is clear and well-established in nutritional science.