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Chlorosis is a symptom of plant disease characterized by the yellowing or blanching of normally green tissue. This occurs due to a lack of chlorophyll development, which can be caused by various factors including viral infections, mineral deficiencies, or environmental stressors like pollution or cold.1

In humans, chlorosis, also known as greensickness, is an older term for a type of iron-deficiency anemia, particularly common in adolescent girls. This condition can cause a greenish tint to the skin. Anemia itself is a broader condition where red blood cells are reduced in number or volume, or are deficient in hemoglobin, leading to symptoms like pallor, dizziness, and shortness of breath.23

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4 Britannica Sources
  1. chlorosis
  2. chlorosis
  3. anemia
  4. aster yellows

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