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What is the phenotype for PKU?
My professor asks the following question on a lab worksheet:
A man and a woman are both carriers for PKU disease. What is the possible phenotype for their children?
As far as I know, PKU does not have any phenotypical influence on an organism's observable traits, is he talking about maybe the way the chromosomes look? How would you answer this question?
2 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Microcephaly is a possible observable trait. It seems since PKU causes defects in phenylalanine conversion to tyrosine, phenylalanine build-ups saturate the blood brain barrier and deprive the brain of necessary amino acids for development. Hence a decrease in brain development.
I'm not sure the primary metabolic phenotype is what your professor is asking, or the more observable microcephaly. I'd go with the latter.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
PKU has a variety of signs and symptoms that could be used to answer this question. They tend to have lighter skin and hair color than the rest of their family members. They present neurological damage including self-mutilating behavior and hyperactivity. Their mental retardation if the condition is not treated is also pretty obvious. Those patients may also present an eczema-like rash due to the build up of phenylalanine.
Hope this helps!