Final answer:
Vitamin C deficiency primarily affects connective tissues such as skin, blood vessels, gums, and bones, impairing collagen synthesis, causing symptoms like bleeding gums, poor wound healing, and weakened bones.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vitamin C Deficiency and Tissue Affected
Vitamin C deficiency primarily affects connective tissues in the body due to its essential role in the synthesis of collagen, a protein crucial for the strength and structure of skin, bone, blood vessels, and tendons. The lack of vitamin C leads to scurvy, which is characterized by a number of symptoms indicating poor structural integrity of tissues where collagen is a key component. These symptoms include fragile capillaries leading to hemorrhage, swollen and easily bleeding gums, delayed wound healing, and weak bones that are more prone to fractures. Vitamin C is also important for dentine formation in teeth, preventing tooth loss which can occur with this deficiency.
Unlike fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K—which can build up in the body's fat and potentially reach unhealthy levels if consumed in excess—vitamin C is water-soluble and excess amounts are excreted in urine. This means that the body requires a consistent daily intake of vitamin C to maintain adequate levels, typically from sources like citrus fruits, green vegetables, and various berries.