Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Minerals are essential trace and macroelements required for the normal physiological and metabolic functions of organisms.
They serve as crucial cofactors for specific enzyme systems, and their deficiency leads to diagnostic pathological conditions.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us pair each mineral with its corresponding deficiency symptom:
- (A) Manganese $\rightarrow$ (IV) Poor wound healing due to the inactivation of Prolidase enzyme:
The metalloenzyme prolidase requires manganese ($\text{Mn}^{2+}$) as a cofactor to cleave C-terminal proline or hydroxyproline residues from imidodipeptides during collagen degradation and recycling.
Manganese deficiency inactivates prolidase, leading to defective collagen synthesis and poor wound healing.
- (B) Selenium $\rightarrow$ (III) Enhanced oxidative stress:
Selenium is an essential constituent of selenoproteins, including glutathione peroxidase.
This enzyme detoxifies hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxides.
A deficiency in selenium compromises this antioxidant defense, leading to enhanced oxidative stress and cellular damage.
- (C) Magnesium $\rightarrow$ (II) Poor Vitamin D status:
Magnesium serves as an essential cofactor for the enzymatic conversion of dietary vitamin D into its active form ($1,25$-dihydroxyvitamin D) in the liver and kidneys.
Magnesium deficiency impairs these hydroxylation steps, resulting in poor vitamin D status.
- (D) Molybdenum $\rightarrow$ (I) Neurological abnormalities due to sulfite oxidase deficiency:
Molybdenum is a component of the molybdenum cofactor (Moco) required by sulfite oxidase, which metabolizes sulfur-containing amino acids.
Deficiency in molybdenum or Moco inactivates sulfite oxidase, leading to toxic sulfite accumulation and severe neurological abnormalities in newborns.
This results in the sequence: (A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(I).
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct matching sequence is (A) - (IV), (B) - (III), (C) - (II), (D) - (I).