Phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a disease of the nervous system caused by the lack of an enzyme which breaks down the amino acid phenylalanine. The defective version of the gene is recessive. Infants who have two defective copies, and will thus develop the disease, can be identified with a genetic test, and are subsequently put on a special diet which controls the symptoms.

Related Topics:

	Genetics
	Evolution

Contributed by: CTNS