Final answer:
Vitamin D deficiency results in impaired mineralization of the osteoid matrix, which is vital for bone strength and health. The correct answer is option d).
Step-by-step explanation:
A person with vitamin D deficiency has impaired mineralization of the osteoid matrix. The osteoid matrix is a part of the bone that consists of collagen fibers and provides a framework for the deposition of minerals necessary for bone hardening.
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium absorption and bone mineralization by helping maintain the proper levels of calcium and phosphate necessary to form hydroxyapatite crystals, which give bones their rigidity. When vitamin D levels are low, this can result in conditions such as rickets in children, which leads to improper bone development due to malabsorption of calcium.
Adults can develop osteomalacia, a condition that results from the demineralization of bone. Hence, adequate levels of vitamin D are essential for the proper mineralization of the osteoid matrix and overall bone health. Answer to the question: A person with vitamin D deficiency has impaired mineralization of the osteoid matrix (d).