Refer to the associated figure. A branched metabolic pathway synthesizes two related amino acids (D and F) If there is a genetic defect, resulting in a nonfunctional enzyme (3), how could you ensure that adequate amounts of the amino acid F are synthesized?
A) supplement intermediate B
B) supplement intermediate C
C) add enzyme 2 to the medium
D) supplement with intermediate E

Question

Refer to the associated figure. A branched metabolic pathway synthesizes two related amino acids (D and F) If there is a genetic defect, resulting in a nonfunctional enzyme (3), how could you ensure that adequate amounts of the amino acid F are synthesized?
A) supplement intermediate B 
B) supplement intermediate C 
C) add enzyme 2 to the medium 
D) supplement with intermediate E

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If enzyme 3 is nonfunctional, intermediate E will accumulate and the reaction that synthesizes amino acid F from intermediate E will not occur. Therefore, by supplementing with intermediate E, the pathway can bypass the nonfunctional enzyme 3 and still synthesize amino acid F.

Refer to the Associated Figure