Question

What problem would people have if they do not have phenylalanine hydroxylase?

a. They would have too much tyrosine in their body.
b. They could never produce phenylalanine.
c. They would produce tyrosine too fast to use it at all.
d. They could not produce tyrosine quickly.

Answer 1

If people lack phenylalanine hydroxylase, they cannot effectively convert phenylalanine to tyrosine, leading to the accumulation of phenylalanine and the development of phenylketonuria (PKU), a condition requiring a special low-phenylalanine diet to prevent severe neurological symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

People who do not have the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase have a problem converting phenylalanine into tyrosine. The correct answer to what problem they would experience is (d) They could not produce tyrosine quickly. This is because phenylalanine hydroxylase is responsible for transforming phenylalanine, an essential amino acid, into the amino acid tyrosine. This process is key in the body's metabolic pathway. Without this enzyme functioning properly, phenylalanine accumulates in the body, and because it cannot be converted into tyrosine, individuals with this condition develop the genetic disorder known as phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU can lead to severe neurological complications like intellectual disability, seizures, and hyperactivity if a low-phenylalanine diet is not followed and artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which contain phenylalanine, are not avoided.