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Date May 2017 Marks available 4 Reference code 17M.3.SL.TZ1.21
Level Standard level Paper Paper 3 Time zone Time zone 1
Command term Discuss Question number 21 Adapted from N/A

Question

Discuss the causes and treatments of phenylketonuria.

Markscheme

Causes:

a. phenylketonuria is an inherited / genetic condition / caused by a mutation 

b. enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase/PAH not present/deficient 

c. phenylalanine is an essential amino acid 

d. inability to convert phenylalanine into tyrosine / phenylalanine builds up in the body 

Treatment:

e. requires diet rich in tyrosine «supplements» 

f. low in phenylalanine 

g. monitor blood phenylalanine levels 

h. monitor growth rates / intellectual development

Examiners report

[N/A]

Syllabus sections

Option D: Human physiology » Option D: Human physiology (Core topics) » D.1 Human nutrition
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Option D: Human physiology » Option D: Human physiology (Core topics)
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