The cellular accumulation seen in Tay-Sachs disease is primarily within which organelle?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Enhance your NBEO Histology Test preparation skills with our quiz. Dive into multiple choice questions explained with hints and detailed answers. Ace your NBEO exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

The cellular accumulation seen in Tay-Sachs disease is primarily within which organelle?

Explanation:
Tay-Sachs disease is a lysosomal storage disorder, so the buildup happens inside lysosomes. The defect is in beta-hexosaminidase A, an enzyme that degrades GM2 ganglioside. When this enzyme is missing, GM2 cannot be broken down and accumulates within lysosomes, particularly in neurons, leading to progressive neurodegeneration. Other organelles like the nucleus, rough ER, or Golgi are not the sites where this lipid storage occurs; they’re involved in genetic information, protein synthesis, and trafficking, respectively, not in the degradation of GM2. Therefore, the organelle primarily involved is the lysosome.

Tay-Sachs disease is a lysosomal storage disorder, so the buildup happens inside lysosomes. The defect is in beta-hexosaminidase A, an enzyme that degrades GM2 ganglioside. When this enzyme is missing, GM2 cannot be broken down and accumulates within lysosomes, particularly in neurons, leading to progressive neurodegeneration. Other organelles like the nucleus, rough ER, or Golgi are not the sites where this lipid storage occurs; they’re involved in genetic information, protein synthesis, and trafficking, respectively, not in the degradation of GM2. Therefore, the organelle primarily involved is the lysosome.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy