Final answer:
The state of a lack of enzymes is referred to as enzyme deficiency. Conditions like galactosemia and lactose intolerance are examples of enzyme deficiencies which can have significant health implications, such as G6PD deficiency leading to anemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical term for the state of a lack of enzymes is enzyme deficiency. Enzyme deficiencies can lead to various inherited metabolic disorders because the missing or defective enzymes can result in a buildup of toxic substances or the failure to produce essential products for bodily functions. For instance, galactosemia is a genetic disease caused by the absence of an enzyme needed to convert galactose to glucose. Furthermore, lactose intolerance is a common condition where an individual lacks lactase, the enzyme necessary for digesting the lactose found in milk.
Moreover, the most common enzyme-deficiency disorder is glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, which primarily affects red blood cells leading to anemia. Treatments for enzyme-deficiency disorders vary but may include dietary restrictions, supplements, or medications designed to enhance or inhibit enzyme activity, based on the specific enzyme and the associated disorder.