Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level 5th Edition

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1118918401
ISBN 13: 978-1-11891-840-1

Chapter 21 - Amino Acid Metabolism - Exercises - Page 771: 25

Answer

The pigment responsible for giving the skin and hair their color is melanin. Melanin is derived from the amino acid tyrosine that is synthesized from another amino acid phenylalanine, which is an essential amino acid. Patients with kwashiorkor lack amino acids that are important in synthesizing the pigment melanin. Thus, the skin and hair of these patients often lack color.

Work Step by Step

The pigment responsible for giving the skin and hair their color is melanin. Melanin is derived from the amino acid tyrosine that is synthesized from another amino acid phenylalanine, which is an essential amino acid. Patients with kwashiorkor lack amino acids that are important in synthesizing the pigment melanin. Thus, the skin and hair of these patients often lack color.
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