# A school nurse is reviewing the health records of students at a secondary school. She notices that several students have diets that are unbalanced in different ways. Describe how deficiencies in different nutrients can lead to specific health problems.

> OCR A-Level Biology B — Advancing Biology (H422) — 2.3 Diet, nutrition and health · Describe · 5 marks

> A balanced diet contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water. When one or more of these nutrients is missing or present in insufficient amounts, deficiency diseases or health problems can develop.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Lack of vitamin C causes scurvy
2. Lack of vitamin D causes rickets (weak/soft bones)
3. Lack of iron causes anaemia (or reduced ability to carry oxygen)
4. Lack of protein causes poor growth / muscle wasting / kwashiorkor
5. Lack of fibre causes constipation / problems with the digestive system / increased risk of bowel disease

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Biology B — Advancing Biology (H422)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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