Gaucher disease is the most common genetic disorder affecting lipid storage in humans. The disease is caused by deficiency of an enzyme necessary for the breakdown of lipids, which leads to the accumulation of fatty material in organs of the body including the spleen, liver, kidneys, lungs, brain, and bone marrow.
Which of the following statements provides the most plausible explanation for how organelles are impacted by Gaucher disease.
A) The mitochondria are most likely defective and do not produce adequate amounts of ATP needed for lipid metabolism.
B) The rough endoplasmic reticulum most likely contains excess ribosomes, which results in overproduction of the enzyme involved in lipid breakdown.
C) The lysosomes most likely lack sufficient amounts of the enzymes necessary for lipid breakdown.
D) The Golgi apparatus most likely produces vesicles with defective membranes, which fail to be transported to the plasma membrane for secretion.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Gaucher disease is caused by a deficiency in the enzyme glucocerebrosidase, which is necessary for the breakdown of glucocerebroside, a lipid. This enzyme is found in lysosomes, and its deficiency leads to the accumulation of glucocerebroside in these organelles, affecting their function.

Gaucher Disease Is the Most Common Genetic Disorder Affecting Lipid