[Campbell Biology P.385] Based on Archibald Garrod's work on "inborn errors of metabolism" a... | Practice Question

Based on Archibald Garrod's work on "inborn errors of metabolism" and the example of alkaptonuria, what was his primary reasoning for the disease's symptoms?

  • A: The inability to produce a specific enzyme required to break down alkapton.
  • B: The presence of too much alkapton in the diet, leading to its accumulation.
  • C: A bacterial infection causing the dark urine and other symptoms.
  • D: A faulty gene directly producing the black pigment in the urine.

Explanation

Garrod's reasoning was that alkaptonuria patients could not make the enzyme that breaks down alkapton, leading to its accumulation and excretion in urine. This formed the basis of his 'inborn errors of metabolism' concept.