Becker's World of the Cell 9th Edition by Lewis Kleinsmith, Jeff Hardin, Gregory Paul Bertoni

Exercise 9

Scurvy and Collagen. Scurvy is a disease that until the nineteenth century was common among sailors and others whose diets were deficient in vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Individuals with scurvy suffer from various disorders, including extensive bruising, hemorrhages, and breakdown of supporting tissues. Ascorbic acid serves as a reducing agent responsible for maintaining the activity of prolyl hydroxylase, the enzyme that catalyzes hydroxylation of proline residues within the collagen triple helix, which is required for helix stability.
(a)Based on this information, postulate a role for hydroxypro-line in collagen triple helices, and explain the sequence of events leading from a dietary vitamin C deficiency to symptoms such as bruising and breakdown of supporting tissues.
(b)Can you guess why sailors are no longer susceptible to scurvy And why do you think British sailors are called "limeys" to this day