Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a recessive genetic disorder caused…

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a recessive genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase, the enzyme that converts phenylalanine to tyrosine. Untreated PKU is characterized by a build-up of phenylalanine and its metabolites, in the blood and eventually brain, which can lead to brain damage. Nutritional management of PKU involves a low protein (and therefore low phenylalanine) diet, and supplementation with a phenylalanine-free protein supplement. However, phenylalanine can also accumulate in the blood (and therefore brain) when someone with PKU becomes sick and/or has a poor appetite. Why might illness and/or poor appetite in a person with PKU cause the accumulation of phenylalanine in the blood/brain? (hint: consider your response to question #10 above) (3-6 sentences)

Red blood cells (RBCs) do not convert pyruvate to acetyl-CoA…

Red blood cells (RBCs) do not convert pyruvate to acetyl-CoA to enter the TCA cycle, and instead produce lactic acid. This is an anaerobic process. This might seem odd, since RBCs carry oxygen. Why are RBCs unable to convert pyruvate to acetyl-CoA? What other metabolic pathways are RBCs incapable of? (3-5 sentences)