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PKU, phenolketonuria, is a genetic disease caused by a recessive gene. So, a person with one normal and one faulty gene for this characteristic will not have the disease, you have to have two faulty genes to have the disease. If two people who each have one gene for PKU have a child, that child can inherit the gene from each parent and therefore will have two copies, causing the recessive trait to manifest.

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Is it true that if neither parent possesses a functional allele a child will always have PKU?

Yes, if both parents have two non-functional alleles for the gene associated with phenylketonuria (PKU), their child will inherit two non-functional alleles and indeed have PKU. This is because the child will lack the ability to produce the enzyme necessary to break down phenylalanine, leading to the accumulation of this amino acid in the body.


How many people have pku?

I have PKU, and I find this question irresponsible. Instead of asking the question, "Do people die of PKU?" you apparently assume it is a fact that people can and do die of this disease without providing any evidence whatsoever. When parents first discover that their child has PKU many of them go to the web to get more information. It is bad enough that the first thing many of them read is "can lead to severe mental retardation" without realizing there are successful treatment options. But this question is even more irresponsible. I would highly recommend you revise it or clarify it, because it is dangerous and destructive.


What is the average life expectancy of someone with PKU?

With early detection and adherence to a strict low-phenylalanine diet, individuals with PKU can have a normal life expectancy similar to the general population. Without proper management, however, PKU can lead to intellectual disabilities and other health complications that may affect life expectancy. Regular monitoring and diet management are key factors in determining individual outcomes for those with PKU.


Is todd homozygous or heterozygous for pku?

If Todd has PKU, he would be homozygous for the gene associated with PKU, meaning he has two copies of the faulty gene. This would result in the expression of the PKU disorder.


Are there different forms of PKU or phenylketonuria?

Yes, there are different forms of PKU, including classic PKU and variant forms like mild hyperphenylalaninemia. These forms vary in severity and in the effectiveness of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, which is responsible for breaking down phenylalanine. Treatment approaches may differ based on the specific form of PKU.

Related Questions

How would a child inherit PKU?

A child inherits PKU if both parents are carriers of the gene mutation that causes the condition. When both parents are carriers, there is a 25% chance with each pregnancy that the child will inherit two copies of the mutated gene and have PKU.


If both heterozygous parents are carriers of a recessive allele for phenylketonuria the probability that a given child of these parents will have PKU is?

The probability that a given child will have PKU is 25%. This is because both parents are carriers of the recessive allele (heterozygous), so there is a 25% chance that they will each pass on the recessive allele, resulting in the child having PKU.


Why is PKU not tested in Finland?

Because of it's rarity. In the world 1 out of 25 000 is affected by PKU. In the States, 1 out of 15 000 is affected, Turkey 1 out of 2 300. In Finland, however, only one out of 100 000 has PKU. When the chances for the child are 0,00001% to have PKU, it's not routinely tested on all infants. 20 out of 34 hospitals test for PKU, but most only if both parents are foreign and only three hospital test if one of the parent is foreign. None of them test PKU on every child.


Is it true that if neither parent possesses a functional allele a child will always have PKU?

Yes, if both parents have two non-functional alleles for the gene associated with phenylketonuria (PKU), their child will inherit two non-functional alleles and indeed have PKU. This is because the child will lack the ability to produce the enzyme necessary to break down phenylalanine, leading to the accumulation of this amino acid in the body.


A person who has PKU?

inherited the allele for the trait from both parents


How does studying genetic disorders such as pku help biologist understand normal alleles?

PKU is a genetic disorder that, when untreated, is characterized by mental ... but, in a person with PKU, this enzyme is defective.


How is phenylketonuria inherited?

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is inherited when both parents are carriers of the gene. Since it is a recessive gene, there is a 25% chance that any baby conceived by two people carrying the PKU gene will have PKU.


How do a person get PKU?

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by a mutation in the gene responsible for producing the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase. This enzyme is necessary for breaking down the amino acid phenylalanine, which is found in many protein-containing foods. PKU is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning that a person must receive two copies of the mutated gene, one from each parent, to develop the condition. If both parents are carriers of the PKU gene mutation, there is a 25% chance with each pregnancy that their child will have PKU.


How many people have pku?

I have PKU, and I find this question irresponsible. Instead of asking the question, "Do people die of PKU?" you apparently assume it is a fact that people can and do die of this disease without providing any evidence whatsoever. When parents first discover that their child has PKU many of them go to the web to get more information. It is bad enough that the first thing many of them read is "can lead to severe mental retardation" without realizing there are successful treatment options. But this question is even more irresponsible. I would highly recommend you revise it or clarify it, because it is dangerous and destructive.


How possible is it that a parent can pass phenylketonuria to its offspring?

It is possible for a parent with phenylketonuria to pass the condition to their offspring if both parents are carriers of the PKU gene mutation. In this case, there is a 25% chance that their child will inherit two copies of the mutated gene and develop phenylketonuria. Genetic testing can provide more information on the risk of passing PKU to offspring.


Are males and females both susceptible to PKU?

Yes, both males and females are susceptible to phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU is an inherited disorder that affects the ability of the body to break down an amino acid called phenylalanine. It is caused by a defective gene that can be passed down from either parent to their child, regardless of the child's sex.


What is the average life expectancy of someone with PKU?

With early detection and adherence to a strict low-phenylalanine diet, individuals with PKU can have a normal life expectancy similar to the general population. Without proper management, however, PKU can lead to intellectual disabilities and other health complications that may affect life expectancy. Regular monitoring and diet management are key factors in determining individual outcomes for those with PKU.