Question

the underlying cause of tay-sachs disease is ________. the muscle cells store excess lipids; the ingestion of excess lipids in the diet; the lack of sufficient lysosomes in the nervous system; the lysosomes lack an enzyme needed to break down a specific glycolipid in nerve cell membranes; i dont know yet

Explanation:

Tay - Sachs disease is a genetic disorder. Lysosomes in cells contain enzymes for breaking down substances. In Tay - Sachs, lysosomes lack the enzyme hexosaminidase A, which is needed to break down a specific glycolipid (ganglioside GM2) in nerve cell membranes. The first option is incorrect as muscle cells don't store excess lipids in this disease. The second option is wrong because it's not about dietary lipid intake. The third option is incorrect as it's not a lack of lysosomes but a lack of a specific enzyme in lysosomes.

Answer:

the lysosomes lack an enzyme needed to break down a specific glycolipid in nerve cell membranes