Word Study
phenylketonuria
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun phenylketonuria has 1 sense
- phenylketonuria(n = noun.state) pku - a genetic disorder of metabolism; lack of the enzyme needed to turn phenylalanine into tyrosine results in an accumulation of phenylalanine in the body fluids which causes various degrees of mental deficiency; Array is a kind of inborn error of metabolism
OXFORD DICTIONARY
phenylketonuria, n. an inherited inability to metabolize phenylalanine, ultimately leading to mental deficiency if untreated.
Etymology
PHENYL + KETONE + -URIA
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