Question:medium
In Retinitis pigmentosa there is a decreased level of which of the following?
In Retinitis pigmentosa there is a decreased level of which of the following?
Show Hint
Think of the omega-3 fatty acid that fills photoreceptor outer segments.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Arachidonic acid
- Trielonic acid
- Thromboxane
- Docosahexaenoic acid
Show Solution
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Focus on the chemistry of the photoreceptor membrane. The rod outer segment discs are packed with omega-3 fatty acids.
Step 2: Among these, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) dominates and is critical for keeping the photoreceptor membranes flexible and functioning. It is the marker lipid of healthy retina.
Step 3: Because retinitis pigmentosa is a degenerative loss of these very photoreceptors, the level of DHA falls. Studies consistently report low DHA in RP patients.
Step 4: The other choices belong to arachidonic-acid or thromboxane signalling and are not specifically reduced, so they can be set aside.\[\boxed{\text{Docosahexaenoic acid}}\]
Step 2: Among these, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) dominates and is critical for keeping the photoreceptor membranes flexible and functioning. It is the marker lipid of healthy retina.
Step 3: Because retinitis pigmentosa is a degenerative loss of these very photoreceptors, the level of DHA falls. Studies consistently report low DHA in RP patients.
Step 4: The other choices belong to arachidonic-acid or thromboxane signalling and are not specifically reduced, so they can be set aside.\[\boxed{\text{Docosahexaenoic acid}}\]
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