A 1-month-old male newborn is brought to the physician for a routine examination. His parents both have olive-colored skin, dark hair, and dark eyes. Physical examination shows hypopigmentation of the skin, light blonde hair, and translucent irises. The inherited disorder that causes this phenotypic expression is most likely due to a defect in the metabolism of which of the following?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tyrosine is a precursor to melanin, which is responsible for skin, hair, and eye color. A defect in tyrosine metabolism would result in hypopigmentation of the skin, light blonde hair, and translucent irises.  Albinism is a congenital disorder characterized by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes due to absence or defect of tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is responsible for the conversion of tyrosine to the skin pigment melanin

A 1-Month-Old Male Newborn Is Brought to the Physician for a Routine