Discuss how the therapy for PKU would be different if the disease was not caused by the essential amino acid
phenylalanine, but rather by a non-essential amino acid. Would the disorder be potentially more or less life-threatening?
Explain your reasoning. What will be an ideal response?
ANSWER: Because phenylketonuria (PKU) is caused by the inability of the body to metabolize the
essential amino acid phenylalanine (which must be ingested in the diet), it can be treated by
limiting the intake of phenylalanine in the foods that are eaten. However, if PKU was caused
by a non-essential amino acid, the molecule would be manufactured by the body rather than
ingested. The disorder could not be treated by changes in the diet and would, therefore, be
much more challenging to treat and possibly more life-threatening.
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