<prompt> Which of the following occurs in the lipidosis known as Tay-Sachs disease?Synthesis of a specific ganglioside is excessiveXanthomas due to cholesterol deposition are observedPhosphoglycerides accumulate in the brainGanglioside GM2 is not catabolized by lysosomal enzymes  <response>: In the genetic disorder known as Tay-Sachs disease, ganglioside GM2 is not catabolized. As a consequence, the ganglioside concentration is elevated many times higher than normal. The functionally absent lysosomal enzyme is b-N- acetylhexosaminidase. The elevated GM2 results in irreversible brain damage to infants, who usually die before the age of 3 years. Under normal conditions, this enzyme cleaves N- acetylgalactosamine from the oligosaccharide chain of this complex sphingolipid, allowing fuher catabolism to occur. The cause of most lipidoses lipid storage diseases is similar. That is, a defect in catabolism of gangliosides causes abnormal accumulation. None of the other choices result in lipidotic disorders. Ref: Hopkin R., Grabowski G.A. 2012. Chapter 361. Lysosomal Storage Diseases. In D.L. Longo, A.S. Fauci, D.L. Kasper, S.L. Hauser, J.L. Jameson, J. Loscalzo Eds, Harrisons Principles of Internal Medicine, 18e. 