Deficiency of which of the following elements is responsible for weakening of bones? 1. Calcium 2. Phosphorus 3. Nitrogen 4. Carbon Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Bones are primarily composed of calcium hydroxyapatite, an inorganic matrix consisting of calcium and phosphate. Approximately 99% of the body's calcium and a significant portion of its phosphorus are stored in the bones and teeth, providing structural integrity and strength [2]. A deficiency in these essential minerals leads to metabolic bone diseases characterized by the weakening of the skeletal structure. Specifically, calcium deficiency is a primary driver of osteoporosis, where bone resorption exceeds formation, leading to fragile bones [1]. Similarly, a lack of phosphorus or vitamin D (which aids mineral absorption) results in rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, both of which involve softened or weakened bones [3]. While nitrogen and carbon are fundamental components of organic biomass and proteins like collagen, their deficiency is not clinically categorized as the primary cause of bone mineral weakening in the same manner as calcium and phosphorus [2].

Sources

1. [2] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Phosphorus-HealthProfessional/
2. [1] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium/HealthProfessional/
3. [3] https://www.fao.org/4/y2809e/y2809e0h.htm