Lesson 5 of 9
When one piece is missing
Show on a big screenSomeone feels tired all the time. Is a vitamin missing? A doctor decides.
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Step 1 of 4
- One day without a component is usually fine.
- Many weeks pass. It is still missing.
- A long gap can cause a deficiency disease.
- Only a doctor can tell if it is happening.
The rule
Maybe. Many things make people tired, so only a doctor can tell.
A long gap in one component can cause a deficiency disease. This is an illness from too little of a component.
| Component | Its job | A long gap can cause |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | Helps you see in dim light | Night blindness |
| Vitamin C | Keeps gums and skin healthy | Scurvy |
| Vitamin D | Helps build strong bones | Rickets |
| Iodine (a mineral) | Keeps the thyroid gland working | Goitre |
| Iron (a mineral) | Helps blood carry oxygen | Anaemia |
| Protein | Growth and repair | Slow growth in children |
The thyroid gland is in your neck. Goitre is a swelling in the neck.
Watch out!
Vitamins do not give energy. Energy comes mainly from carbohydrates and fats.
Try the lab to finish this lesson.