Question

Given the reason for the following:

Goitre is usually observed in people living in hilly regions.

Answer 1

Goitre is usually observed in people living in hilly regions because:

1. Iodine is required for the synthesis of thyroxine hormones by the thyroid gland.
2. Iodine is the major constituent of thyroxine.
3. Iodine is obtained from water, leafy green vegetables, fruits, iodized salt, etc.
4. The soil of hilly regions is far away from the ocean and water in hilly regions comes from the melting of snow.
5. So, The soil of hilly areas is deficient in iodine. Thus, the food is grown in such soil also becomes iodine deficient.
6. People living in hilly regions consume iodine-deficient food.
7. The iodine molecules combine with tyrosine (an amino acid) present in thyroglobulin (The epithelial cells secrete the gelatinous colloid containing a protein) to synthesize thyroxine.
8. The deficiency of iodine in the body cannot synthesize an optimal amount of thyroxine hormones in the body.
9. This leads to swelling (enlargement) of the thyroid gland.
10. Therefore, Goitre is usually observed in people living in hilly regions.