Question

Maria, a five-month-old infant, is diagnosed with the deficiency of arachidonic acid. The doctor advises that Maria be fed breast milk, which is rich in arachidonic acid. This fatty acid, however, is not consumed by adults as it can be synthesized in their bodies itself. In this scenario, arachidonic acid is a(n):

a. nonessential fatty acid.
b. conditionally nonessential fatty acid.
c. essential fatty acid that can only be consumed through the diet.
d. conditionally essential fatty acid during infancy.

Answer 1

Arachidonic acid is a conditionally essential fatty acid during infancy, as infants may not be able to synthesize it in sufficient quantities and thus might require dietary intake to meet their needs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question addresses the classification of arachidonic acid based on its necessity in the human diet. Linoleic acid and a-linolenic acid are essential fatty acids that humans cannot synthesize and must be obtained through diet. Arachidonic acid is synthesized in the body from linoleic acid, hence it is not generally considered essential. However, in specific circumstances like infancy, where the body's ability to synthesize arachidonic acid may be compromised, it becomes a conditionally essential fatty acid.

In the scenario described, where a five-month-old infant diagnosed with a deficiency of arachidonic acid is advised to consume breast milk rich in this fatty acid, it indicates that arachidonic acid is conditionally essential during infancy because the infant’s body is not able to synthesize enough of it.

Therefore, the correct answer is d. conditionally essential fatty acid during infancy.

Learn more about Conditionally Essential Fatty Acids