Question

what does tay - sachs disease cause?
a thick layer of mucus in the respiratory tract and struggle to digest food
a decreased mental ability and uncontrollable movements
the inability to breakdown fatty tissues around the brain and effects the brains abilities
the wrong shape of hemoglobin and therefore less oxygen in the body

Explanation:

Tay - Sachs disease is a genetic disorder. It is caused by the deficiency of an enzyme (hexosaminidase A) which leads to the accumulation of gangliosides (a type of fatty tissue) in the brain. This accumulation affects the normal functioning of the brain.

• Option 1: Thick mucus in the respiratory tract and digestive problems are symptoms of cystic fibrosis, not Tay - Sachs.
• Option 2: Decreased mental ability and uncontrollable movements are more characteristic of some neurodegenerative disorders like Huntington's disease (uncontrollable movements) and general neurodegeneration (decreased mental ability), but not the main hallmark of Tay - Sachs.
• Option 3: Tay - Sachs is due to the inability to break down fatty tissues (gangliosides) around the brain, which affects brain functions.
• Option 4: Wrong - shaped hemoglobin (sickle - shaped) and less oxygen in the body are features of sickle cell anemia.

Answer:

the inability to breakdown fatty tissues around the brain and effects the brain's abilities