Briefly describe the process of blood coagulation and the role of ...

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Briefly describe the process of blood coagulation and the role of vitamin K in the process.

Question 2

Briefly describe the conditions, along with their symptoms, associated with vitamin D deficiency in adults.

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Answer to Question 1

Vitamin K functions as a coenzyme in a variety of reactions that ultimately constitute the life-or-death process by which blood clots form. For your blood to coagulate and form a clot, a cascade of chemical reactions must first take place. After a cut or scrape occurs, various clotting factors are activated by vitamin K, allowing the next reactions in the cascade to take place. These reactions ultimately result in the production of fibrin, a protein that forms a web-like clot that stops the bleeding.

Answer to Question 2

When vitamin D intake is inadequate in adults, bones can become soft and weak-a condition called osteomalacia. Symptoms of osteomalacia include diffuse bone pain and muscle weakness. People with osteomalacia are also at an increased risk of bone fractures.Inadequat e vitamin D intake can also result in the demineralization of previously healthy bone, ultimately leading to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a serious chronic disease-especially in the elderly-that affects more than 28 million Americans.