Final answer:
Pharmacogenomics analyzes genetic variations that affect drug metabolism, leading to differences in drug activation and deactivation. Slow metabolizers may experience reduced efficacy or increased side effects from standard drug doses. Mitochondrial medicine and enzyme-deficiency disorders are other examples of genetic impacts on metabolism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Genetics and Drug Metabolism
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genetic variations affect an individual's response to medications. It involves genetic testing to identify small genetic differences that influence a person's ability to activate and deactivate drugs. For example, some patients may metabolize drugs slowly due to variations in their enzymes, leading to standard doses not working effectively or causing side effects due to prolonged drug levels in the body. Arya's insulin release issue is a result of such genetic variations.
Other Examples of Genetic Impact on Metabolism
Another condition, alkaptonuria, is a recessive genetic disease where affected individuals cannot properly metabolize the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine, leading to darkened skin and joint damage. This showcases how genetic variance can lead to varying metabolic capacities. Environmental factors, along with genetic factors, contribute to an individual's drug response.
Some groups of people, such as Indians and Chinese, may have a lower basal metabolic rate (BMR) compared to Europeans, influenced by genetic and dietary factors.
Enzyme-Deficiency Disorders
Enzyme-deficiency disorders are numerous, and while they are rare individually, collectively they can affect a significant number of newborns. In these disorders, a crucial enzyme is missing or non-functional, often due to inherited gene mutations. This can lead to the buildup of toxic chemicals or the lack of essential products.
The field of mitochondrial medicine is focused on treating disorders like these, which are caused by dysfunction in cellular metabolism due to mutations in nuclear or mitochondrial DNA.