Vitamin C and collagen hydroxylation
Vitamin C deficiency weakens collagen because vitamin C is required for:
Answer C: explanation for every choice
A
Lysyl oxidase is copper-dependent, not vitamin C–dependent.
B
Procollagen peptidases act outside the cell and do not require vitamin C.
C
Correct. Prolyl and lysyl hydroxylases need vitamin C. Without hydroxylation, the triple helix is unstable, causing scurvy.
D
Glycine, found at every third position in collagen, is a nonessential amino acid made without vitamin C.
TakeawayScurvy: no vitamin C → impaired proline and lysine hydroxylation → weak collagen.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID bb30.